Valdibella Agape Nerello Mascalese

Very lightly extracted, lean, and amazingly complex. Unoaked, with a refined herbal aromatic that jumps out of the glass. Discover why Nerello is sometimes compared with the likes of Nebbiolo and Pinot Noir.

Winemaker: Nino Vilardi

Region: Camporeale, Sicily, Italy

Grapes: 100% Nerello Mascalese

Alcohol: 12.5%

Sulphur: 29 mg/L (total)

Suitable for vegans: Yes

Altitude: 300m

Total area farmed: 50 ha of vines (part of 250 ha of productive farmland)

Soils: Primarily limestone and clay

Age of vines: 7 yrs old

Viticulture: Organic (certified).

Vineyards: Valdibella is a cooperative project, working with grapes from 10 growers in the Camporeale region. They are all organic at the very least, though the Valdibella ethos pushes all their members towards a biodiverse and regenerative agriculture model, using no tillage in the vines where possible. This also means growing vines alongside olives, almonds, figs, pomegranates, etc, and close to natural areas, woodland, ponds, and fallow hedges thereby creating a more stable and balanced agro-ecosystem. The grapes for Agape come from a single ‘cru,’ a vineyard on limestone and clay, and one of their youngest plantings. More has recently been planted so production will eventually increase.

Vinification: The grapes are destemmed very gently and fermentation kicks off naturally in steel tanks. Fermentation typically lasts 12-15 days and the wine tends to be on skins for that whole time. Pumpovers are used sparringly for a soft extraction. After pressing the wine is returned to steel where it stays for around 8 months.

Bottled unfined, very lightly filtered, and with a light sulphite addition.

Other: ‘Agape’ is a Greco-Christian term referring to love. Another meaning as well is that of a celebration, a feast, a party.

Organic

Vegan / Vegetarian

2018

12.5%

75cl