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Italian Alpha Zeta 'P' Pinot Grigio 2010
Producer
Alpha Zeta was started in 1999 when Liberty Wines set out to produce a range of modern, fruit driven wines from the hills outside Verona.
Working with leading New Zealand winemaker, Matt Thomson, our aim was to work with growers (rather than buy bulk wine, which is standard among most wines from Verona at this price) to obtain ripe grapes (by reducing yields and picking later) and then, using Matt’s expertise, preserve these flavours in the finished wines. The result is a realisation of the potential inherent in Veronese viniculture.
Vineyards
The grapes were sourced from the hills outside Verona. Several vineyards in excellent sites where the growers had reduced the crop quite significantly, were selected.
Vintage Information
The Veneto winter was characterised by cold, wet weather which gave way to a cool, rainy spring. Conditions improved in late May with a hot, dry June with good diurnal temperature differences. Harvest was approximately a week later than 2009 and the grapes were picked in good condition with good acidity levels, better pH than 2009 and lovely aromatic qualities.
Vinification
The grapes were hand harvested, de-stemmed, crushed and chilled on the way to the press with no sulphur addition. The juice was chilled immediately and naturally settled. Cultured yeasts were added to initiate fermentation, which took place at 12-14°C in order to retain fruit flavours.
Tasting Notes
Clean, crisp and fresh but still with plenty of character, the 2010 Pinot Grigio is lively and aromatic, with the classic freshly baked bread crust perfumes and ripe, juicy pear character on the youthful, crisp palate which make this such a popular variety. Lovely almondy perfumes on the finish, with a twist of lime.
| Vintage |
2010 |
| Grape varieties |
100% Pinot Grigio/Pinot Gris |
| Region |
Valpolicella, Veneto |
| Winemaker |
Matt Thomson |
| Closure |
Stelvin |
| Alcohol (ABV) |
12.5% |
