Carmenère originally comes from Bordeaux. There, this red grape variety once contended for the top spot in quality with Cabernet Sauvignon, before disappearing entirely from the French wine region as a consequence of the phylloxera invasion and the difficulty in finding suitable rootstocks for it. Today, it is primarily found in Chile, where it was once accidentally planted – mistakenly identified as Merlot; and, to one's surprise, in Veneto, more specifically in the Colli Berici and Colli Euganei, where it was brought back to Italy by migrant workers.
At Filippo Gamba's winery, the vines grow on the slopes of a limestone-rich west-facing hillside in the Colli Euganei and ripen there until mid-October. The grapes are then hand-harvested and traditionally vinified in accordance with the Vinnatur guidelines. The wine is aged for 14 months in cement tanks before being bottled unfiltered.
Carmenère is dark-fruited, herbal, and slightly peppery. Filippo's version is no exception. It is surprisingly low in alcohol yet still substantial, deep, and full of character. The tannins are round and velvety, and in combination with a perfectly balanced acidity, they create a thoroughly harmonious texture.
Technical Data Sheet
- Grape Variety: Carmenère
- Vineyard: Limestone-rich west-facing slope, 20-year-old vines
- Harvest: Hand-picked
- Fermentation: Spontaneous | Wild yeasts, approx. 20 days on the skins
- Aging: 14 months in cement
- Filtration: No
- SO₂: < 25mg/l
- Alcohol: 12.5% vol.
- Closure: Natural cork
- Serving Temperature: 16-18°C
- Ideal Drinking Window: From now until 2027
- Volume and Price per Liter: 0.75 l / (€18.25/l)
All winemakers listed by Vinonudo work with compost, organic fertilizers, and natural preparations in their vineyards and avoid the use of herbicides, pesticides, and synthetic fertilizers.
