Pinot Grigio Ramato Rosé 2021

The estate extends over 110 acres on south-facing terraced slopes, just to the west of Gorizia, protected from both the cold northern winds and the characteristic “bora” wind of Trieste. The area is particularly suited to viticulture, making Friuli Venezia Giulia one of the leading grape-growing regions of Italy already since the end of the 19th century.
The estate is surrounded by nature that is unspoiled and rich in biodiversity, important factors even in the cultivation of grape vines. The three distinctive features of the this territory are the soils, the temperature fluctuations, and the sunlight.
The Attems estate has three distinct types of soils that are an enormous asset:
– The Isonzo section features floodplains with a sand, silt and gravel soil. It tends to be warmer and wetter than other areas of the estate. This, combined with its gentle winds, creates an ideal combination for Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc grapes that are harvested earlier to enhance the freshness and fruitiness of the wines.
– The middle area of the property, known as “manine” is a primarily flat area set between Collio and Isonzo, characterised by loamy soils with good drainage. The varieties planted here are Pinot Grigio and Ribolla Gialla, characterised by their refined elegance.
– The highest, coolest and windiest part of the estate is in Collio. It takes its name “ponca” from a particular sandstone soil with alternating layers of marl, the composition of which originated millions of years ago. An ideal soil for viticulture, able to affect the aromatic characteristics of grapes and the flavor of the resulting wine. The grapes grown here are Sauvignon Blanc, Friulano and Picolit. The Cicinis hill is dedicated to the Sauvignon Blanc variety and harvested at two different moments, first in the lower parts and then in the higher areas.
The temperature of the region is the second major factor affecting the vineyards. Winters are harsh, with temperatures that often fall below zero. Summers are not excessively hot, with maximum temperatures below 30°C. The hilly layout of the area generates significant temperature fluctuations between daytime and nighttime. The combination of these conditions promotes the accumulation of sugars, pigments and aromatic substances in the grapes.
Lastly, sunlight has a critical role in how grapes ripen, given Attems’ location fewer than 10 miles from the Adriatic coast. The refractive effect of the sunlight on the Gulf of Trieste gives Collio a particularly intense and unique luminosity that, between August and September, contributes to the optimal ripening of grapes. Together with the significant temperature fluctuations, the refractive sunlight effect creates an ideal climate for the production of excellent white wines.

Following the destemming, the peels and must are left in contact for about 10 hours at 8°C. Subsequently, the rosé juice obtained from the soft pressing of the grapes is left to rest for 24-48 hours. Finally, on clear must, a low temperature (15- 17°C) alcoholic fermentation is allowed to take place in steel vats for 15 days. The vinification is carried out in steel containers. After fermentation, the wine rests for 4 months on the noble lees, which are constantly placed in suspension.

January and February 2021 were characterized by a couple of weeks where the minimum temperatures remained stably below 0°C, delaying the plants’ awakening despite a decidedly mild March. Beginning with the grapevines situated on the terraces most exposed to the sun, Pinot Grigio entered the budding phase following a frosty beginning to the month of April. The first vegetative phases were slowed down by a cold May with rainy days, while a sunny month of June stimulated a rapid growth of the plants, providing a correct development to the photosynthesizing surfaces. The flowering of our Pinot Grigio began ten days later than the historical average. July and August were months characterized by significant temperature variations with rains sufficient to hydrate and maintain a correct vegetative-productive development in all varieties. The Pinot Grigio harvest began in the first days of September with grapes showing above average acidity. The harvest of this variety then continued until the middle of the month. The last grapes arriving in the cellar featured a much higher concentration of sugars and displayed an intense classic purple hue, typical of the Pinot Grigio grapes’ skin.

Typical rosé color with litchi-hued nuances, Ramato’s perfume is intense with dominating fragrances of peach and broom shrub that gradually lead into
an enveloping sensation of marasca cherry. On the palate, the 2021 vintage is resolute and perfectly balanced and impresses for its great dynamism, persistence and a finish of gooseberry and citrus peel.