Dipinti Merlot 2013
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Founded in 1858, the growers have a vast wine making history in this ideal location in the heart of Trentino where the vineyards situated from the valley floor, to altitudes ranging from 800 to 2,500 feet ASL flourish. Secondly, the winery has recently completely renovated their facility with attention to each detail and further focus on the processing of grapes to extract their quality. Thirdly, the 1,500 growers who make up Cantina La Vis are now concentrating on increasing the quality of their grapes in the vineyards, as the cantina pays for quality not for quantity. The results of these serious efforts in search of quality at La Vis, are world-class wines that deftly integrate tradition and technology at a price point that
The painting on each label in the La Vis Dipinti series was created by Italian artist Paola de Manincor. Each of the Dipinti depicts a scene from the Storie di Vite (Life in the Vineyard).
With generous fruit and supple tannins, Merlot is made in a range of styles from everyday-drinking to world-renowned and age-worthy. Merlot is the dominant variety in the wines from Bordeaux’s Right Bank regions of St. Emilion and Pomerol, where it is often blended with Cabernet Franc to spectacular result. Merlot also frequently shines on its own, particularly in California’s Napa Valley. Somm Secret—As much as Miles derided the variety in the 2004 film, Sideways, his prized 1961 Château Cheval Blanc is actually a blend of Merlot and Cabernet Franc.
A mountainous northern Italian region heavily influenced by German culture, Trentino-Alto Adige is actually made up of two separate but similar regions: Alto Adige and Trentino.
Trentino, the southern half, is primarily Italian-speaking and largely responsible for the production of non-native, international grapes. There is a significant quantity of Chardonnay, Pinot Grigio and Merlot produced. But Trentino's native and most unique red variety, Teroldego, while still rare, is gaining popularity. It produces a deeply colored red wine rich in wild blackberry, herb, coffee and cocoa.
The rugged terrain of German-speaking Alto Adige (also referred to as Südtirol) focuses on small-scale viticulture, with great value placed on local varieties—though international varieties have been widely planted since the 1800s. Sheltered by the Alps from harsh northerly winds, many of the best vineyards are at extreme altitude but on steep slopes to increase sunlight exposure.
Dominant red varieties include the bold, herbaceous Lagrein and delicate, strawberry-kissed, Schiava, in addition to some Pinot Nero.
The primary white grapes are Pinot grigio, Gewürztraminer, Chardonnay and Pinot blanc, as well as smaller plantings of Sauvignon blanc, Müller Thurgau. These tend to be bright and refreshing with crisp acidity and just the right amount of texture. Some of the highest quality Pinot grigio in Italy is made here.