DEGO RESTAURANT TASTING in London 5th Sept 2011
Dear all,
Bergamo, Lombardy, North of Italy “those are the hills and fields were I grew up very happy as mamma’s boy”
I’m very glad to introduce you a unique 10 hectares Italian VILLA and its wines. I cannot hide the fact that I am proud of my origin and I feel very emotional to explain for the first time in English, this well kept secret. It has not been reported yet in the world wine atlas. Despite this, the wines are well sold in the best of Milan’s Michelin starred restaurants and have won medals in the local Italian market. Moscato di Scanzo Docg is a new Italian cult wine with old traditions. Everybody is speaking about it but production and availability is very limited.
I hope you can join us in London on the 5th of Sept. 2011 to taste our wine selection at the DEGO’ restaurant. A rare occasion to taste it and understand why in a blind tasting among hundreds cannot be confused for some others sweet wines. In Italy fine lovers find very difficult to find and taste it. Pls do not miss this opportunity.
You are welcome to arrange a visit to the villa, especially during the town wine fair, that happens on the 9th-10th-11th of September 2011. While all year around is possible to contact the General Manager Frida Tironi. She is very friendly and knowledgeable. I still remember that spring day five years ago when I contacted her at the last minute and she agreed to open the Brugherata’s door just for me. Since then I fell in Love with this part of Tuscany in North Italy and decided to become their ambassador in the world. Please do not hesitate to contact me for further information. In the meanwhile, I will try to explain the values and the reasons why we are in front of a good, unique GRAND CRU. The Bendinelli’s family saw the potential and since 1986 invested a lot of money in the vineyard, the wine making process and the cellar. They want to achieve the best results and true expression of the terroir and indigenous grape(The Moscato di Scanzo) outside a logic of pure profit.
LA BRUGHERATA
sweet moscato di scanzo DOCG “DOGE”
ocieta’ Agricola di Bendinelli S. & C. s.a.s. 47 Medolago street 24020 Scanzorosciate Bergamo Italy
phone +39035655202 +447982316824 UK – www.labrugherata.it est. 1985
La Brugherata Villa’s entrance and the 15,000 roses
Wines Moscato di Scanzo Docg “DOGE”, Valcalepio Doc Bianco “VESCOVADO del FEUDO”, Valcalepio Doc Rosso “IL VESCOVADO”, Valcalepio DOC Riserva “DOGLIO”, Cabernet IGT “PRIORE”, Brut Spumante classic method
Owner Bendinelli’s family General Manager Frida Tironi Winemaker Giuseppe bassi Winegrower Dott.Pierluigi Donna, Dott.Angelo Divitti, Cellar master Nuhi Arben Brand-Export Manager Simon Cassina s_cassina@hotmail.com
Visiting policy by appointment only (mond-frid.8.30-18.30 sat-sund 8.30-12.30) Cellar door and wine tour. Languages English – French http://www.stradadelvinoscanzo.it
Directions: Ryainair flights directly to BERGAMO AIRPORT Orio al Serio or as an alternative you can use one of Milan’s airports just 50km away. The wine estate is easily reached by following the road to Gorle Bergamo, Bergamo, or the exit of the A4; take the ring road following the signs for Lovere first, and then follow the indication Scanzorosciate. From Milan the A4 motorway direction north, then exit at Seriate following the signs to the hypermarket and then Scanzorosciate. Once on the road over the country there are clear road signs.
“The MOSCATO DI SCANZO DOCG is a grand Cru inside the VALCALEPIO DOC” – BERGAMO just few miles from Milan – LOMBARDY
http://demo.sfera.net/cmscanzo/admin/include/files/Disciplinare_DOCG.pdf
http://www.consorziomoscatodiscanzo.it http://www.valcalepio.org
ENGLISH VERSION http://www.buonalombardia.it/images/File/Allegati%20pubblicazioni/Vini09ING-Ok.pdf PAGE 10-11
More infos about LOMBARDY REGION http://www.buonalombardia.it/browse.asp?goto=1&Livello=0
The Brugherata is located at Scanzorosciate just seven kilometres east from Bergamo.
In the early 80’s “La Brugherata” farm looked just like “Renzo’s vineyard” as described by Alessandro Manzoni in “The Betrothed” The Bendinelli’s bought it and their first commitment has been to fully renew the vineyards and cellar. Everything has been done blending traditions and modernity keeping in mind the final goal: Quality. The motto is VINO D’ARTE pointing out the similaties between an artist and the winemaker. La Brugherata is a 10 hectares vineyard, including 1 hectare of olive grove.
THE HISTORY OF MOSCATO DI SCANZO
The first document mentioning the red muscatel in the area is the one dated 8th June 1347. Alberico from Rosciate wrote in his will : ” I leave to my son Tacino La Bersalenda estate where the red muscat is cultivated…” In the 1378 in is Castello Castelli reports the following facts, in which he cited the episode about the Guelph seizing for themselves few carts of red Muscatel of Scanzo from the opposing party: the Ghibellini.
It seems that before the Roman domination 1000 ac there was a tribe in the area called Atestini – Rosciate or Rosy. The Captain of Venice Giovanni From Stenches, explained in a report the meaning derived from the Greek “Ros” (bunches or I bind of grapes), with the Celtic “ate”, that means village. Hence “Rosy” today Rosciate.
Bergamo’s architect Giacomo Quarenghi brought a few bottles as a gift to Caterina II tsarina of Russia during his working stay in St.Petersburg. At the court a few English diplomats discovered it.
Once brought back to UK, the Londoners transformed it into a delightful sweet passito. They were pushed from the desire to create a “new sherry of grapes”. In the eighteenth century, The Moscato di Scanzo was the most expensive wine in the world, quoted to the stock exchange of London for 50 guineas. It has been mentioned next to vintage ports, sauterns and tokaj… (Source: “Rosciate and his Hills”, Corrado Fumagalli”).
Furthermore, this is the production kingdom of the red Muscatel – as NAPOLEONE BONAPARTE called it; the most important MEDITATION WINE of the area (source “Edition Strada del Moscato di scanzo e sapori Scanzesi)
Then it was lost on time until the MOSCATO DI SCANZO’s clone was rediscovered in Bergamo’s hill in the 70’s by professors of the Milan Agraria University. 15 years ago they managed to identify and select three clones which are protected and reproduced only by http://www.vivairauscedo.com/en/clonale.htm The nursery Rauscedo is still the only supplier of scions and rootstocks for the all the 30 Docg winegrowers.
In 2002 it became the smallest DOC area in Italy thanks to Avv.Paolo Bendinelli the Brugherata estate owner.
Thanks to his hard work and commitment as president of the Moscato di scanzo Consorzio, he managed in a short time to go around the Italian appellation red tape. In the 2009 it became DOCG, the only one in Bergamo and the smallest in Italy.
What does DOCG AND DOC mean?
Guaranteed Origin (DOCG) and The Denomination of Controlled Denomination of Controlled Origin (DOC) of a wine are a guarantee of its quality for the consumer: http://www.buonalombardia.it/images/File/Allegati%20pubblicazioni/Vini09ING-Ok.pdf
Established 1986
Annual turnover Euros 400,000
Work force Employee 3 + owners and seasonal workders
Bottles annual production 51,000 to be increased by 2014 no.120,000 without buying grapes outside La Brugherata
5000 moscato di scanzo docg
20000 valcalepio vescovado red doc
7000 vescovado white igt
3000 sparkling traditional method
8000 valcalepio riserva Doglio doc
5000 vermiglio red
3000 priore cab. sav.
EXPORT to Germany and Switzerland 5%
VINEYARDS 9 hectarsGRAPE VARIETIES chardonnay (end of august), pinot grigio (end of august), merlot (mid september) , cabernet sauvignon (mid october), moscato di scanzo (end of october) We have got Moscato di Scanzo clone on KOBER rootstock, the Cabernet Sauvignon clone ENTAV 164 on So4, the merlot Entav 343 on Kober, the chardonnay Musque clone Entav 117 on kober.
The best selectioned YEAST comes from EVERINTEC http://www.everintec.it/en/lieviti-selezionati.html#cru using on MOSCATO di scanzo:Mycoferm CRU 69 Saccharomyces cerevisiae var. bayanus, all reds Mycoferm CRU 211 Saccharomyces cerevisiae and all white and sparkling wines Mycoferm IT 07 (ex Elite Prosecco)Saccharomyces cerevisiae var. bayanus.The maloactic conversion is also initated by an inoculation of desirable bacteria.
AVERAGE YEARS OF THE VINES 12 years the oldest 25 yo
DENSITY PLANTATION 3,000 plants x hectar
AVERAGE YEALD Moscato di Scanzo 5 tons x hectar (23 liters from 100 kgs grapes) Doglio & Priore 7tons x hectar, Vescovado withe and red and Vermiglio 9 tons x hectars
SUBSOIL This is the calcareous subsoil ground “Moraine”, which derive from the decomposition of the mountain rocks from the Alps. Locals call it “Sass de Luna – Moonstone” The soil in the vineyard is a mix of clay and Sass de Luna stones.
CLIMATE: Continental. Nov-Dec-Jan average: -1 – 0 Celsius. Max 25-30 Jun-Jul-Aug Cold wind and water from the Alps mitigating influence of the river Serio and the big lakes of Iseo and Endine.
PRECIPITATION: Average annual rain 1100 pa. Danger of storms and hail
ALTITUDE 300 meters on sea level with the Alps on the north
45°40′N 9°42′E the famous 45’PARALELL NORTH (Bordeaux, Rhone, Piedmont and LA BRUGHERATA)
GREAT RECENT YEAR 2009-2008-2007-2005-2001 This is was due to a longer late harvest without getting rotten on the plants and better temperature escursion between day and night.
WINEMAKIG AND UPBRINGING
Hand harvest with selection of the best grapes on the vineyard to avoid to use big ammounts of SO2. We do practise the green harvest just before the picking time cutting of 1/3 circa of the grapes.
VSP head trained trellis system
Destemmer and pneumatic press Willmes
Use of SO2 on Sweet Moscato di Scanzo and whites 110 mg/l – reds 50 mg/l
Maximum permitted levels of SO2 in mg/l Eu law Reds 160 mg/l Whites 210 mg/l Sweets 400
“Macerazione fermentativa a freddo. Impiegando ghiaccio secco durante la fase di pigiatura +So2 si evitano le ossidazioni del colore e si ha una maggiore estrazione delle frizioni polifenoliche.si deve portare la temperatura a +5° per 2-3 giorni poi previo riscaldamento a 15° si inoculano i lieviti rimontando la massa.Ricordarsi che l’ossigeno fa il vino ma può anche ossidare il colore ancor più si faciliti l’estrazione del colore.Quindi, tannini esogeni, O2 limitata all’inizio. Temperatura nelle fasi finali fino ai 2/3 della fermentazione sui 20-22° per vini che si vogliono fruttati e giovani.”
Fermentation vessels of different sizes – stain steel tanks
Remontage and pumping in the first 24 hours every 2 hours x 10 minutes x on 200 hl still vessel da 200 hl coresponding the 10-15% total volume. At the top of the fermentation remontage every hours x 5 minuts x on 100 hl vessel Reduce the action when the fermentation is nearly done. At the end just pump over the hat.
They do the push down of the hat only when is necessary
Use of batonage and lees contact.
Filtering by racking and paper.
Barrel maturation – french – slavonian different capacities and age..Beppe Bassi like a maestro has got a lot to play in achieving the best harmony and texture.
Large Slavonian oak barrels – FUDRE
New barrels amongs 1- 2 and 3 years old ones
New french oak barrique 225 lt
Use of Bentonite on fining and stabilization of the wines
GUIDE VINIBUONI D’ITALIA TOURING CLUB 4 GOLDEN STARS
DUEMILAVINI BIBENDA 5 GRAPPOLI
SLOW WINE, GUIDA ESPRESSO, GUIDA VERONELLI…
VINIPLUS 4 ROSE CAMUNE
GAMBERO ROSSO 2 BICCHIERI
DECANTER LONDON INTERNATIONAL WINE FAIR SILVER MEDAL
3° CONSORSO INTERNAZIONALE DI VINI PASSITI GRAN PALIO DELLA SIGNORIA DEI BENTIVOGLIO: 4 CORONE
Moscato di Scanzo GRAPPA + Moscato di Scanzo DOCG DOGLIO wood box The perfect gift pack – LA BRUGHERATA on the GUIDA SLOW WINE 2011
Moscato di Scanzo is a native vine with red grapes, which grows well in calcareous terrains deriving from the decomposition of the rock known as “Sass de Luna”. After harvest, which takes place at the beginning of October, the grape bunches are introduced in conditioned drying rooms for perfect drying, which takes at least thirty days. After an extremely slow fermentation , it is refined for two years in our cellars plus 6 month in the bottle before marketing it. Moscato di Scanzo may be counted among the great Italian “passito” wines. It has a brilliant tones, and an intense bouquet with floral scents of rose, herbs, sage, pepper cinnamon and a fruity hint with scents of jam and cooked fruit. This is a classical wine to drink over conversation. it is very good with “gorgonzola”, and every blue cheeses; try with dark chocolate.Serve at 14°/16° C. Suggested Rrp £ 40-45
DEGO’ EVENT TASTING NOTES COMING NEXT
APPEARANCE
NOSE
PALATE
CONCLUSION
VERMIGLIO DI ROXIA red I.G.T. BERGAMASCA MOSCATO ROSSO
85% MOSCATO DI SCANZO – 10% MERLOT – 5% CABERNET SAUVIGNON 12,5% abv alc.
kept for 6 months in stainless steel vats + 6 months bottle ageing
NEW!!! Vermiglio is a new Beppe Bassi’s our forward thinking winemaker and consultant masterpiece. We are once again in the presence of the unique expression of Scanzo’s terroir and history. It has been released and presented for the first time this year at Vinitaly and waiting the DOC appellation next. Great finesse and aromatic purity. Uplifted floral aromas give impression of red berry fruits, kirsch, cassis, cherries and spices. The tannings are supple and silky with a lovely savoury finish.Suggested Rrp £10-15
DEGO’ TASTING NOTES COMING NEXT
APPEARANCE
NOSE
PALATE
CONCLUSION
FOOD MATCHING
VESCOVADO white igt
Brugherata pays homage to the city of Bergamo with this label, which depicts Piazza Vecchia, the historical symbol of the medieval High City in Bergamo VESCOVADO DEL FEUDO is a white wine, born of blending of Pinot Grigio and Chardonnay grapes. The colour is bright straw yellow and it presents full-bodied and intense perfumes of fruit and sweets, and is also reminiscent of tropical fruit and apricot. The taste is full, soft, persistent and attractive. This is a white wine with considerable personality and character. Suggested Rrp £ 10-15
13% alc. abv
DEGO’ TASTING NOTES coming next
APPEARANCE
NOSE
PALATE
CONCLUSION
FOOD MATCHING
THE 100% REAL ITALIAN EVENT IN LONDON
SAVE THE DATE 5th SEPTEMBER 3pm-6.30 at DEGO’ restaurant 4 Great Portland Street London W1W 8QJ A UNIQUE OCCASION TO TASTE THE MOSCATO DI SCANZO DOCG and discover the wines from 10 hectars vineyard www.labrugherata.it ITALY Pls do not hesitate to contact me s_cassina@hotmail.com
http://www.degowinebar.co.uk/contacts.html
-
Hi Simon. Was a superb evening,the wines are a revelation. Great terroir ! You have a winner on your hands ! Ciao Keith
Christina Pickard Simone, grazie per un evento
fantastico ieri sera. Sono contenta che finalmente ho assagiato il moscato di scanzo! Era buonissimo! Buon viaggio per domani!
September 6 at 1:58pm ·-
Warren Edwardes Many thanks for hosting the superb event. Great wines matched with superb food. But the combination was even better.September 6 at 9:58am · ·
1 person -
Warren Edwardes And of course great company and location 😉September 6 at 9:59am
Silvio Pezzana Drinkitaly Uk
Ciao Simon,
grazie ancora per avermi dedicato il tuo tempo e complimenti per la degustazione molto ben organizzata e ricca di informazioni. -
Hello good news for the Uk Wine connoiseurs,
We have been selected by SILVIO “Ethical Wine-Drink italy” to present the MOSCATO DI SCANZO DOCG AND VERMIGLIO at the Restaurant Show in London from 10 OCTOBER to 12 OCTOBER
Pls visit me at the Ethical Edibles Winestand F98
Do not forget to get your free tickets here http://www.exporeg.co.uk/visit /sites/williamreed/restaurant/ 11/vis/reg.asp?CN=Ethical+Edib les&ST=F98
See you there ARRIVEDERCI
CIAO a tutti,
Please DON’T FORGET to bring it to your loved one on ST.VALENTINE with a box of 70% dark chocolate. This is a true italian ELISIR D’AMORE!
Simon Cassina 