Rocca Bernarda Picolit
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Rocca Bernarda Steeped in history, Rocca Bernarda has long been a point of reference in Friulan enology. One of the first wine estates dating back to 1559 when agronomical practices were confined only to the finest territories. Considered one of the most exemplary estates in Friuli, “Rocca Bernarda”, from which it takes its name, has a unique microclimate with spectacular terraced vineyards protected by the Julian Alps. The soil, “ponca”, formed more than 40 million years ago is a mixture of sand stone and marl and yields complex wines, reflecting the region’s character in its unmistakable minerality. Rocca Bernarda has made significant contributions to the valorization of the native grape. In particular, Picolit (considered Italy’s Sauternes), owes its survival to Rocca Bernarda. (Total property: 220 ha Vineyards: 38,5 ha). Rocca Bernarda Via Rocca Bernarda Premariacco (UD) FRIULI REGION • ITALIA - Tel. +39 0432 716914 - Fax +39 0432 716273 - www.sagrivit.it Picolit Colli Orientali del Friuli D.O.C.G. Rocca Bernarda was instrumental in the survival of the Picolit grape, the rare and much-prized sweet wine, jewel of Friulian enology. Giacomo Perusini, after having replanted the first cuttings of Picolit in the late nineteenth century, wrote a treatise, ‘Picolit’, in 1906. Thus Picolit grapes, which had reached their highest levels of appreciation a century earlier with Count Asquini Fagagna, found a renewed place in the vineyards. Perfect balance is the quality that makes this wine truly unique. Appellation: Colli Orientali del Friuli D.O.C.G. Variety: Picolit Position: 160 metres a.s.l. South and south east-facing on terraced vineyards “Ronchi” Soil type: Marl and sandstone soil of Eocene origin Training system: Guyot and Cappuccina (double-arched cane) Planting density: 5,400 vines per hectare Harvest period: Hand harvested at the end of October Fermentation & Aging: The Picolit grapes are harvested manually in the closing days of October. They are placed on racks for about one month in well-ventilated rooms until the sugar concentration has reached the desired level. At this stage, the grapes are selected by hand several times and any mouldy or damaged berries are eliminat- ed. After pressing, the must ferments slowly in wooden barrels. Fermentation stops spontane- ously with the arrival of the first winter cold, leaving a relatively high level of residual sugar (more than 100 g/l). A subsequent period of lees contact and further aging in the bottle also contribute to Picolit’s great longevity. Yield per hectare: 15ql Sensory Characteristics: Lustrous, star-bright golden yellow. Extraordi- nary notes of apricots, peach, citrus fruit, ripe figs, acacia honey and chopped helbs come together seamlessly to shape a very intense and gratifying wine. Sweet but never cloying and very long, offering nuances of honey, candied peel and ripe fruit. Serving suggestions: An outstanding partner for foie gras and soft or blue cheeses. Available sizes: 500ml (Bottle), 1.5L (Magnum) Serving temperature: 16/18°C Recommended Glass: medium-sized tulip-shaped First Year of Production: beginning of the 1900’s by Count Giacomo Perusini .