Tenuta Belvedere - 'WAI Bianco' - Pétnat of Pinot Nero Blend - Oltrepò Pavese, Piemonte, IT - 2021

Notes from the Winery/Importer

The hand harvested grapes are carried to the cellar in 18kg bins and then double sorted, destemmed and then pressed. The must clarifies itself with static gravity in stainless steel vats where ferments with only the help of the indigenous yeast at controlled temperature. The partially sweet wine is left to refine on its lees for about 6 months. A the beginning of the Spring the wine is bottled. The natural increase of the temperature favors the resumption of the fermentation inside the bottle and the yeast eats all the sugar in excess. It is recommended to suspend the natural sediment in the bottle before consume in order to fully enjoy this fun wine. Just turn upside the bottle a bit (not too much).

Notes on the Producer

The Oltrepò Pavese (Italian pronunciation: [ˌoltreˈpɔ ppaˈveːze]) is an area of the Province of Pavia, in the Italian region of Lombardia, which lies to the south of the river Po. It extends over a 70 km long territory south of the Po river, stretching from east to west. It is Oltre (‘beyond’) the Po and basically this is a district where food and wine traditions are different from the rest of Lombardia as the borders with both Piemonte and Emilia Romagna are not far away. Pretty unknown abroad, the Oltrepò offers several attractions: smooth hills, medieval villages and castles, panoramic views, authentic Italian food and local wines. This district happens to be the largest wine producing area of Lombardy and the largest one in all Italy for the Pinot Nero. The landscape is scattered with vineyards that are freely accessible for hikers or even mountain biking. Towards the south the terrain is rather hilly. Gianni Brera, a famous journalist and bon vivant, claimed that in the Oltrepò Pavese “wine is wine”. In saying this Brera is reflecting upon the geographical layout of the Oltrepò Pavese, which is shaped like a bunch of grapes. Tenuta Belvedere is a small family managed estate located roughly 35 km south of Pavia in the village of Montecalvo Versiggia. Belvedere was once part of the municipality of the village, hence the name of the estate and at the same time was the name of the property bought by Sarchi Pasturenzi’s family. Today the estate is the continuation of a wine-making passion and tradition that began in the 2nd half of the 19th century, when this family began growing grapes. Early production was mainly to meet the consumption needs of family and friends. Over time and over the generations, what was once a “simple” passion turned into a professional commitment. It was Mario Pasturenzi who, after the 2nd World War, created a turning point in the farm’s wine production. With the aim of creating a quality product, land ownership was slowly expanded, the old vineyards were replanted several times and the current wine cellar was built. Even after Mario’s death, in 2004, the farm was carefully managed by his wife, Maria Luisa Sarchi, assisted by the family, of which thirty-something Gianluca Cabrini became a member by marrying Maria Luisa’s granddaughter, Federica. It was Gianluca himself who, in 2013, decided to leave the automotive sector, where he had worked for many years, to devote himself full-time to his passion for wine and the pure love for the Oltrepò area. Fully aware that high-quality wines are made in the vineyard, even before grapes reach the cellar, thanks to its partnership with the agronomist, Tenuta Belvedere implements particularly meticulous agronomic practices. Pruning takes place using the “Simonit & Sirch” method, according to which reducing the cutting surfaces and the protective wood technique ensure a long, healthy life for the plant. In addition to rigorous pruning, always starting after the first frost, suckering and bunch selection by hand are also implemented. The excellent quality of the grapes goes hand in hand with respect for nature. It is for this reason that the agricultural practices have always had a very low environmental impact, eliminating the use of chemical fertilizers, agrochemicals and herbicides. This encourages grassing, without working the land, so as to prevent erosion and soil impoverishment. Fertilizing, if necessary, is exclusively organic and carried out before winter. The pruning shoots are shredded in the vineyard in order to return substances to the earth. Fungicidal treatments take place exclusively using copper and sulphur and the water used for these processes comes exclusively from estate’s wells. Tenuta Belvedere’s commitment to environment and artisanal wines is nationally recognized by wine critics and fans as the estates only attends wine fairs in which is mandatory for the attending estates the use of indigenous yeast carrying natural fermentations with no manipulation and the use of copper and sulphur in the vineyard. The estate is a proud member of Vinnatur, one of the most “extreme” natural wine association in Italy. Recently renovated (2013), the wine cellar, located in a central position in relation to the farm’s vineyards, faces north and two-thirds of it lies underground. These characteristics make it naturally possible to maintain an almost constant temperature and the right level of humidity. The rooms are divided into three areas, each dedicated to different stages of production: wine-making, bottling and storage, ageing. The area devoted to wine-making is equipped with stainless steel tanks and vitrified concrete tanks, all featuring temperature control. The last (but not least important) area in the wine cellar is dedicated to host classic method sparkling and frizzante wine while it’s resting on the lees. Furthermore Gianluca’s Pinot Nero ages in French oak casks (500 liters) in this insulated and temperature-controlled room.