Antonio Cerrilli
07809 154638

ABBAZIA DI NOVACELLA Alto Adige

The abbey of Novacella was established in 1142, which they reckon makes it one of the oldest wineries in the world. It is also probably Italy’s most Northerly winery, being right up by the Austrian border. The new winery is in the working Abbey that doubles (triples?) as a boarding school: the Gothic architecture contrasting nicely with the serried ranks of gleaming stainless steel. Celestino Lucin oversees wine making and is making a very good name for himself in the North East as one of the best oenologists available. The vines themselves, Sylvaner and Kerner among them, are planted at up to 600 meters altitude, with a density reaching 7,000 plants per hectare. The whites are all planted in the immediate vicinity of the Abbey, and the red varieties are principally planted at Cornaiano. There are few lists that will offer one 100% Kerner, let alone two, and special wines they certainly are, with characteristic full body and freshness. The Praepositus is 30% aged in new French oak, adding spiciness to the weight. The Moscato Rosa is brick red and quite extraordinary. The Pinot Nero is ethereally Dolomitic -again, like the Praepositus, it is aged in oak, one third new, and is considered to be the best example of Pinot Noir from Northern Italy.

Kerner 2006 75cl £ 14.50 request to buy

Kerner Praepositus 2006 75cl £ 18.50 request to buy

RED
Pinot Nero Praepositus 2004 75cl £ 29.50 request to buy