Alpine Wines

The first, and the most important wine of the estate, is the Sassella Valtellina Superiore ‘Grisone’. In 2017, it was the only wine they made, and therefore includes fruit from all three of the estate’s vineyards, with schist terraces between 350m and 550m above sea level, including the old Mossino vineyard, with vines of over 100 years old. Delicate in colour, but with incredibly vibrant fruit, notes of wild berries, freshly cut herbs, and lots of floral notes, this is a brilliant Nebbiolo.

Alfio makes a tiny quantity - just 2,000 bottles - of Sforzato di Valtellina: an Amarone-like dry wine, made from dried Nebbiolo grapes. Still delicate in colour, the nose is beautifully perfumed: this is recognisably Nebbiolo. The palate has a weight and power to it, and notes of dried fruit and dried herbs, but it doesn’t have the overripeness of Amarone. Brilliantly balanced, and very long and finely judged.

In the finest vintages, such as 2016, Alfio makes a tiny quantity of Riserva, with just 2,500 bottles produced in 2016. This all comes from the Mossino vineyard, their highest plot, planted in an amphitheatre that points due south. A blend of old and young vines, and a little of the high-acid Rossola, creates a wine of incredible focus, purity, and intensity. The nose here is so mineral, with a slight iodine note and blood orange, and a very long finish.

This comes from a few different vineyards, at 400 metres above sea level, with vineyards cooled by the Ora del Garda wind that blows in the afternoon here. A beautiful salmon tinge to this, and the nose points to real complexity. Lovely vibrancy, notes of peach skin and orange blossom, and also a hint of phenolic bitterness keeping everything balanced. Really lovely.

Nosiola is the only autochthonous (indigenous) white variety in Trentino, with its origins dating back at least to the 16th century. There are debates as to the origins of its name: some claim it’s due to the hazelnut (“nocciola”) colour that the grapes and stems take on at full ripeness; others point to the slight aroma of fresh hazelnuts when the grape is picked. An almost Riesling note on the nose, with hints of lime blossom and loads of intense fruit. There’s a savouriness here, and also a weight on the palate. Very finely judged, with just a hint of more exotic fruit coming through on the back palate, and a lovely, mouthwatering, phenolic finish.

From the historic Olivar vineyard comes a blend of Chardonnay, Pinot Grigio, and Pinot Bianco: a serious and complex white that blossoms with a few years in the bottle. The vineyard, and the wine, take their name from a centuries-old olive tree that overlooks the vines, and here the altitude of 450m as well as protection from northerly winds makes a very special microclimate. There’s lots of palate weight here, with hints of oak spice, ripe peaches, and a lovely thread of acidity. More weighty than the other wines, there’s a long and savoury finish.

Always a real favourite, this Petite Arvine balances ripe, mouthfilling fruit, with taut acidity and a real savouriness. It's a charming white, and brilliant when paired with mountain food