Pinot Noir Casanova 2020 from Castello di Spessa

The Casanova del Castello di Spessa di Capriva del Friuli was decreed the best Pinot Noir of Friuli Venezia Giulia at the National Pinot Noir Competition of Egna and Montagna dedicated to the 2020 vintage. An award of absolute prestige in this important competition, which saw the most significant Pinot Noir of the peninsula and for the first time introduced the classification by wine areas to underline the national character that animates it and to enhance as much as possible the different traditions and production styles of Pinot Noir in Italy. The announcement ceremony was held as part of the 25th edition of the South Tyrolean Pinot Noir Days from 19 to 22 May. “We are truly proud of this recognition, which spurs us to continue along the path taken to enhance Pinot Noir, a wine in which we believe a lot and in whose production we have put, and continue to put, heart, head and passion” says Loretto Pali , owner of the Castello di Spessa winery, who is a great admirer of Pinot Noir.

“Many argue that it is a difficult variety - he continues - It undoubtedly is, but for us it is not a challenge to produce it and give our generous Collio an opportunity to demonstrate that it can be a territory in which Pinot Noir expresses itself very well and with great personality. A wine that is a tribute to the love for our land, therefore, to which we wanted to give the name of a character who has always embodied passion and love, Giacomo Casanova who was a guest of Castello di Spessa and appreciated its wines, calling them of excellent quality ."

Of a deep intense ruby color, Casanova Pinot Noir presents bewitching notes of red fruits on the nose with pleasant spicy hints. On the palate it is velvety and elegant, with a long and broad finish of raspberry and spices. It goes very well with lamb and medium-aged cheeses, but also with savory fish first courses.

Casanova comes from the vineyards that embrace the Castello di Spessa (including the Vigna di 3 Pinot, where Pinot Bianco and Pinot Grigio are also grown) and is the result of a careful and passionate process of experimentation and quality research, in full respect for variety and terroir. The skilful contribution of the Trentino winemaker Enrico Paternoster contributes decisively to giving it its unmistakable character. It is then refined in the medieval cellars dug under the castle, the oldest and most scenic in the Collio. A curiosity: from the historical notes on Castello di Spessa it emerges that already at the beginning of the twentieth century the director of the estate Rudolf Wilhelm Gareis (a well-known German winemaker) was successfully dedicating himself to the production of Pinot Noir, which won the Bronze Medal of the State (among the highest honors) at the inter-provincial tasting of wines in Vienna in 1909, in which numerous companies from the County of Gorizia took part, which were overall judged the best, testifying to the vocation of the terroir towards this type of wine. A precious legacy from the past, which is now preserved and enhanced by the Loretto Pali cellar.