The soil
La Raia has been growing and vinifying Cortese grapes for over twenty years. They are famous for their delicacy and ability to evolve and age, proven by our Gavi Pisé. For a few years now, we have outlined these traits, in addition to a long stay on the lees, with a passage in Stokinger austrian oak barrels. We've decided to highlight the peculiar characteristics of this gentle vine with an ancient method using drying racks imported from Veneto. The final product is our Passito, presenting a well-defined structure, that adds new facets to a grape whose most popular version is a young dry Gavi.
Clara Milani – Oenologist at Tenimenti Rossi Cairo
Grapes
The grapes, Cortese 100%, are firstly subject to a green harvest in the vineyards to improve the maturation only of the best bunches and to obtain wholesome grapes. After a manual harvest with small baskets, the bunches are delicately put on racks inside the cellar, in a ventilated and cool area to benefit from the drying process which takes about one month after which the desired concentration is reached. One of the most important things throughout the process is making sure the grapes remain entirely intact.
Winemaking
The entire process requires almost one year and includes: crushing of the bunches, fermentation in stainless steel, subsequent ageing in French oak barrels and finally ageing in the bottle.
Tasting notes
COLOUR: Its colour is amber yellow with golden nuances that remind of the acacia honey La Raia produces.
AROMA: The taste of sundried apricots is clearly perceptible, as well as syrupped peaches, candied fruit and acacia honey.
MOUTHFEEL: La Raia’s Passito has a well-balanced sweetness with a strong acidic component that is typical of the Cortese grape.
ALCOHOL CONTENT: 14%
Perfect pairing
Its sweetness and sapidity make it very adaptable with food, especially alongwith cheese and desserts. Like an aged Barolo, it can be considered a meditation wine.
Perfect storage
If stored in a cool dry place and in the dark, at 10°/18° C, bottles will last for over 10 years.
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