Tasting Ferrari Sparkling Wine - Page 3

According to the winery, the weather in 1994 was characterized by average temperatures and snow during the winter. The harvest was early under favorable conditions at the start, and luckily the perfectly ripe grapes were harvested before the atypical rains at the end of September.

1992 Vintage - Lemon gold in color, somewhat shy on the nose, lively acidity on the palate with flavors of buttered toast.

According to the winery, 1992 was characterized by challenging weather, including dramatic heat, rains, and attacks of downy and powdery mildew. Saving grace was the marked differences between day and night temperatures that are idea for ripening grapes grown in high hillside vineyards.

1989 Vintage - Lemon gold in color, fine bubbles, buttery brioche on the nose and palate.

According to the winery, very good growing season with little drama, yet the last part of august was characterized by low minimum night-time temperatures thus favoring the accumulation of sugars and the development of aromatic substances on the grapes. Picking began the first week in September, giving the winery excellent base wines with finesse and high acidity levels.

1986 Vintage - Lemon gold in color, a sherry nose (some suggested a whisky nose) and wet leaves. Quite rich and complex.

According to the winery, abundant rain showers in April and a very hot May contributed to the vines’ vegetative cycle starting early. From May to July there was little rain, which brought upon attacks of coulure. As seems to be the trend in this winery, great weather right before and during harvest saved the vintage and marked it as one of the most long-lived.

1993 Vintage - A bit darker than the others, richer and definitely more complexity and texture on the palate. Rich in flavor, texture, and a unique character.

According to the winery, the growing season was relatively unremarkable save for unusually high night time temperatures which is not particularly good for keeping acid in the grapes. But at the beginning of the harvest the weather conditions changed and the night time temperatures dropped, resulting in a chardonnay perfumed with good body and high fixed acidity.

All in all, a wonderful opportunity to taste delicious, even historic, wines with such a personalized history. After hearing so much about the life and passions of founder Giulio Ferrari during lunch, and his persistence to make top quality sparkling wine in the Trenta DOC of Trentino, Italy, I began to feel as if I was tasting a bit of Mr. Ferrari’s spirit with every sip.

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