Trento DOC Riserva 'Brut' 2016 (750 ml.) - Letrari

THE WINE

Trento DOC Brut Reserve by Letrari is a vintage obtained by the union of Chardonnay and Pinot Nero harvested exclusively by hand, staying on yeasts of at least 36 months to exalt its soft elegance. A fresh and lively wine, full of solid structure, with soft elegance and an enduringly long lasting, just like its finest perlage.

THE FAMILY

The Letrari winery was founded in 1976 by expert enologist Leonello Letrari and his wife Maria Vittoria, however the Letrari family dates back to 1647 and has been making wine for centuries. Leonello was born on the family estate in Borgetto all'Adige, a locality that is on what was once the frontier between the Austro-Hungarian Empire and the Italian Kingdom. Today, Borgetto al Adige sits between the modern regions of Veneto and Trentino-Alto- Adige.

The enthusiasm for fine wine production has been passed down from Leonello and Maria Vittoria to their daughter Lucia. Lucia graduated from the prestigious San Michele Al Adige Institute of Agriculture and Enology in 1987, and now successfully manages the family winery with the same skill and passion as her parents. 

PHILOSOPHY

Excellence is our byword and we try to highlight and showcase the local flavour and terroir.

Our wines come from grapes that are grown and harvested in the nearby areas of Vallagarina and Terradeiforti.

Among the reds, we focus on the indigenous grape varieties, such as the delicate and fruity Marzemino, the more full-bodied Teroldego, the fragrant Lagrein that we also vinify as a Rosé, and lastly the aromatic Enantio.

Since Leonello was among the first enologists to take up the challenge of producing a wine in the Bordeaux style in Italy; Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot are our most important red wines. A classic from our cellar is the Maso Lodron, made with Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. Inspired by this innovative blend, a new wine was born: "Ballistarius" an original cuvée from Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot and Lagrein.

The range of our wines includes some renowned whites, including a classic take on Chardonnay and Pinot Grigio and also more aromatic varieties: Müller Thurgau, Gewürztraminer and Manzoni bianco.

Lucia Letrari's creative contribution to the firm is evident in the production of the white wines. "Fossa Bandita", a Pinot and Manzoni cuvée, the very elegant Aès, a copper - coloured Pinot Grigio of great aromatic intensity and the newly released La Civetta both white and red.

Many of our devoted clients appreciate the aristocratic Moscato Rosa as well as the "Dulce Vitae" – a late harvest wine – and of course, the classic sparkling wines Letrari Brut, Dosaggio Zero, Rosé Brut, +4 Rosè, Brut Riserva, Dosaggio Zero Riserva and 976 Riserva del Fondatore. The last two are carefully made from Chardonnay and Pinot Nero grapes and processed according to the classic method of bottle re-fermentation, in line with the precise regulations for the production of sparkling wines as denoted by the appellation "TRENTODOC".

THE VINEYARDS

The Vallagarina in its long history was known as the region of the finest red wines produced in the German Empire and more recently, between World War I and II, as a territory ideal for the classical Bordeaux grape varieties; but the production of wine in this area dates back to the Roman Empire.

The Letrari vineyards consist in 22 hectares of vines resting in the Borghetto all'Adige and Rovereto zone: this special region has a perfect combination of landscape, terroir and climate.

The soil is poor and rocky, the temperature is ideal in summer (partly due to the microclimate created by the local wind, the Ora del Garda): vines here still co-exist alongside olive groves.

The valley is more open here and the excellent sun exposure allows the grapes to ripen to perfection.

The careful selection of vines varieties made by Letrari, together with the low production pro hectare, guarantee the excellence of the grapes produced in these vineyards.