Wine: Torti Bonarda Frizzante

Country: Italy

Region: Lombardy

Designation: Bonarda dell Oltrepo Pavese DOC

Brand/Producer: Torti

Grape Varietal: Croatina

ABV: 13%

Type: Red

Code: 2918

Tasting Note

An initial floral bouquet is soon surpassed by the signature juicy cherry notes of Croatina. More ripe red fruits come through on the palate along with small berries and some wild intense strawberries. As the flavours develop there is a hint of spice in the finish with faint gentle tannins. The light frizzante effect lightens the palate making this an enjoyable refreshing version of a red wine.

Producer

The Torti winery was established in 1910 by Giovanni Torti. Succeeding generations have been heavily involved in winemaking and the winery today is operated by Dino Torti. Taking pride in their expansive vineyards, the winery has had particular success with Pinot Nero and especially indigenous grape varietals which thrive in the Lombardy region

Winemaking

Bonarda and Croatina are often interchanged names for the same grape, however Croatina is used in Oltrepo Pavese since the Bonarda of Piemonte is a slightly stronger grape. The grapes are macerated and fermented for up to 10 days, then a malolactic fermentation takes place in sealed steel tanks generating the frizzante effect. 

Fun Fact

Situated in Lombardy, the Otrepo Pavese area is the most northerly wine region in Italy. Its town of Pavia (Pavese in Italian) is just 45 kms south of Milan. It is bordered by the regions of Emilia-Romagna and Piedmont. Amazingly, the area is “shaped like a bunch of grapes”, and is located exactly half way between the North Pole and the Equator, on the 45th parallel like Bordeaux in France.

Food pairing

A versatile wine which is especially popular with local meat and pasta dishes of the region.  It can also be chilled lightly as a summer accompaniment to antipasto and charcuterie.