Lugana Molceo Riserva 2021

To produce the Lugana Molceo Riserva, Ottella selects perfectly ripe and healthy Turbiana grapes in its own vineyards in San Benedetto di Lugana. The vines are rooted in a compact block of white clay and breathe the mild climate of Lake Garda. In these conditions the Turbiana grape variety produces rich concentrated grapes, with exquisite acidity that allows the wine to defy time. In fact, a long aging process creates a complex and intriguing bouquet and a round and flavorful taste. The wine changes its character and evolves over the years in the bottle like a red.

Ottella adopts a short pruning system to have low yields from a vine variety that is not very vigorous. Lugana Riserva Molceo is the highest expression of the Garda terroir according to the Ottella winery, in particular it is the typical wine of the southern shore of Lake Garda where the effect of the prehistoric glaciations has left a clayey basin. This compact white clay with calcareous infiltrations is very hard when dry and muddy when wet; although difficult to work, this land is the real creator of the taste of these wines, which have always been appreciated.

The grapes are picked late in October with manual harvesting in boxes. After a soft pressing, the free-run must is left to settle in the cold to clear up. Then it ferments without the skins in stainless steel vats at a low temperature. The wine partially undergoes malolactic fermentation and ages for 16 months on the lees, partly in steel and partly in barrique and tonneau.