June 2024 - a Castel story by Ivana Capraro

Tre Extra Brut & Tre Extra Brut Rose' - Opificio del Pinot Nero di Marco Buvoli

Every month we present a wine from our cellar recommended by our sommelier Ivana Capraro for that month.

June 2024

"I wanted to create important and complex bubbles"

About 13 years ago, I met Marco and his marvellous "Bollicine" (Italian for sparkling wines) at a tasting in Venice. Even then, I was impressed by his story and convinced of his abilities, so I will now tell you about Marco Buvoli's dream.

As a self-taught wine maker, he turned his back on the automotive industry after a long time. He has always loved jazz, champagne and good Burgundy wines. In 1997, he finally dedicated himself to his new task, the "craft of wine", and began to produce Pinot Noir sparkling wines using the classic method.

Marco began his new life's work by searching for suitable areas with the right soils in order to achieve different flavours for his sparkling wines.

He has now amassed many small plots and cultivates a total of seven hectares between Vicenza and Padua.

The winery

L'Opificio del Pinot Nero di Marco Buvoli

When it comes to ageing, he is guided by the so-called "Cuvée de Prestige" idea of great champagne masters. Since 2001, he has been bottling a portion of each vintage in a large wooden barrel - the "Riserva Perpetua".

He takes a portion of this "permanent cuvée" from all vintages to balance out the current sparkling wine vintage. He replenishes the quantity taken from the "Riserva Perpetua" with the base wine from the current vintage - in other words, a permanent cuvée.

This method shows Marco's love of experimenting with his craft, which in turn explains the name "Opificio". Translated into German, it means something like: "a space where you think, create and taste" - Marco's laboratory.

The wine

Tre Extra Brut & Tre Extra Brut Rosé

"One wine, two faces. An interpretation of Pinot Noir."

Marco Buvoli has planted clones from Burgundy and Champagne in the vineyards, which are traditionally not suitable for growing Pinot Noir.

But: Pinot Noir cannot be compared with any other grape variety. From the north of Europe to the south of the world, it is a chameleon of the terroir and a challenge for every winemaker.

However, what makes it the "fil rouge" of every Pinot Noir in the world is not the Burgundian stamp or the French charm, but the elegance. And that is exactly what everyone is looking for in Pinot Noir. Marco too!

Tre Extra Brut is a Blanc de Noir, which means it is made from the light-coloured pulp of the dark grapes. This is not the case with rosé, which is pressed like a white wine using the saignée method, whereby the skins macerate with the clear juice to create the rosé colour.

Grape variety:

100% Pinot Nero

Colour:

Extra Brut: Brilliant old gold colour, highlighted by fine and persistent bubbles.

Extra Brut Rose: Very light antique pink colour with a fine perlage.

On the nose:

Extra Brut: Floral notes of geranium and violets. Fruits reminiscent of summer plums and quinces. Finally, aromatic herbs come to the fore: thyme and sage.

Extra Brut Rose: Intense orange blossom, blueberries and blackberries interwoven with floral notes. Undertones of herbs, hazelnuts and roasted almonds.

On the palate:

Extra Brut: Mineral tensions from the soil are followed by notes of peach. These provide a polite effervescence and a long-lasting body.

Extra Brut Rose: Salty and dynamic. It is fresh, clean and its softness is revealed in a creamy sensation that fills the mouth.

Pairing:

Naturally, both are an ideal aperitif. However, like many sparkling wines, they are also ideal to accompany the entire meal.

Salute!

Would you like to try it?

Enjoy Castel wines at home

You can enjoy these sparkling wines from Marco Buvoli at the Castel and take some home with you from our hotel's own wine shop at attractive prices. Alternatively, we will be happy to send you your favourite wines directly.

Cheers!

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