Dinavolino is the little brother of Dinavolo, the great orange-coloured monument from Val Trebbia near Piacenza. The vines for this wine are rooted at the foot of the Denavolo, a steep mountain slope that rises from 400 to 700 metres and is mainly based on limestone. The fundamental difference between the big and little brother lies in the depth of the soil: while the vines on the Dinavolo are practically planted directly in the rock, the Dinavolino has a layer of soil, albeit shallow, in which water can accumulate and roots can spread - this hardly sounds worth mentioning, but ultimately makes for larger and juicier berries and therefore has a significant influence on the sensory properties and texture of the wine.
The grape variety composition is the same for Dinavolo and Dinavolino and consists of equal proportions (25% each) of Malvasia di Candia Aromatica, Ortrugo, Marsanne and as yet unidentified white grapes. However, the Dinavolino is harvested earlier and, after six months of contact with its skins, is transferred to steel tanks for a further six months (eight for the Dinavolo).
It is neither filtered nor fined, the temperature is not controlled and Giulio has not used sulphurisation for several years.
Style
Lively, structured, straightforward and profound, yet also playful and drinkable. The Dinavolino is not much inferior to the Dinavolo. Juicy yellow fruit is combined with mineral notes and fine herbal flavours, with hints of berries and citrus on the palate. The body is elegant and without an ounce of fat, the well-integrated tannins and the lively but never aggressive acidity give the wine direction and drinkability.
Data sheet
Grape variety: Malvasia di Candia Aromatica, Ortrugo, Marsanne and small proportions of indigenous and traditional varieties
Plant protection: only sulphur, copper and plant or animal-based preparations, not certified
Vineyard: limestone, located at the foot of the slope, deep humus layer
Harvest: by hand
Fermentation: spontaneous | wild yeasts, 6 months on the skins
Maturation: for six months in stainless steel tanks
Filtration: no
SO₂: unsulphurised
Alcohol content: 10.5 % vol.
Closure: Natural cork
Drinking temperature: 10-12 °C
Perfect drinking maturity: from now - 2026
Content and price per litre: 0.75 l/(€23.50/l)
All the winegrowers listed on Vinonudo work with compost, organic fertilisers and natural preparations in their vineyards and do not use herbicides, pesticides or artificial fertilisers.
