The colour is medium straw. On the nose apple, pear, citrus and a gentle herbal touch. In the mouth refreshing with a slight tannic grip. The aftertaste is medium long.
This withe wine has been made with Erbaluce grapes under the Colline Novaresi DOC.
Erbaluce is a native variety of Piedmont. According to the most recent theory, the grape originates from the subalpine zone of the Canavese, where the Erbaluce di Caluso produces the only DOCG appellation for the grape.
In Roman times, the variety was probably known as Alba Lux (“dawn light”), a reference to the luminous sheen of its berries. Erbaluce is remarkably versatile: thanks to its naturally high acidity and balanced sweetness, it can produce an array of styles: crisp dry, sparkling and sweet dessert wines.
The Erbaluce grape produces a wine, with high fixed acidity, therefore suitable for ageing. In this case the wine has aged for 5 years, which is rather uncommon for a white wine.
Colline Novaresi DOC is a wine appellation in northern Piedmont, Italy, covering the gentle hills around Novara. Created in 1994, it protects red, white, and rosé wines made mainly from Nebbiolo (locally called Spanna), as well as Vespolina, Croatina, Barbera, and Erbaluce.
I picked up this bottle during a visit to the Torraccia del Piantavigna winery at the end of July, paying 16.90 EUR.
Country: Italy
Region: Piedmont
Grapes: Erbaluce
Type: White
Vintage: 2020
Producer: Torraccia del Piantavigna
Price range: Medium (15-30 US$)
Pascal’s Enjoyment Index: 2/5