Author: Michela Barbieri
Ronco delle Mele: Ten Emotions in a Glass.
A Vertical Tasting of Ten Vintages Stars in the "Concerto del Vino" by Caratello Wine in Zurich
On September 1, Caratello Wine hosted the “Concerto del Vino” at the Dolder Grand in Zurich, where Venica & Venica presented ten vintages of their “Ronco delle Mele” Sauvignon DOC Collio.
Ten emotions in a glass, spanning from the 1998 vintage to 2016, told a story of colors and aromas that have preserved over the years the endless nuances of our land: the saltiness of the sea, the fruity aromas and the minerality of Ponca soil.
Here, we share the wonderful words offered to us by Hans Bättig, head of wine training courses at the Zurich University of Applied Sciences (ZHAW) in Wädenswil and an agronomist specializing in wine sensory analysis with a degree from ETH Zurich.
“The Caratello Concerto” of September 1, 2024, at the Dolder Grand in Zurich amazed with an extraordinary vertical tasting of Italian white wines from the Friulian winery Venica & Venica.
Ornella Venica presented ten vintages of Sauvignon from the” Ronco delle Mele vineyard”, starting with the 1998 vintage and ending with the 2016 harvest. Both vintages were awarded the prestigious Tre Bicchieri rating, a recognition first given to “Ronco delle Mele” in 1997 and awarded an additional twenty times to date.
The wines presented impressed not only for their freshness and vibrancy but also for their exceptional structural density and the aromatic accompaniment they offer on the palate.
The remarkable elegance of “Ronco delle Mele” is further highlighted through the different vintages, which, at the foothills of the Julian Alps, can vary significantly due to changing climatic conditions.
Meticulous grape selection at harvest, careful monitoring throughout the winemaking process and the refinement in the cellar seem to intensify the terroir’s expression and undoubtedly contribute to the wines' longevity and complexity.
These wines don’t follow fleeting trends. They stand out purely for their depth, revealed gradually with each sip, even after many years.
A pleasure that only great wines can offer.”
Hans Bättig / Moderator and interpreter at the presentation by Ornella Venica
Harvest 2024
The Fruit of a Year Dedicated to Observing and Caring for the Vineyard
REPORT BY GIANNI VENICA ON THE START OF THE 2024 HARVEST
Venica&Venica has commenced the 2024 harvest. On August 22, under a clear sky, the first clusters of Pinot Grigio were picked in Ruttars, one of the most picturesque and renowned areas of this generous land. The harvest now continues in Ronco Mele Alto, where the Sauvignon grapes are ready to reveal the fresh and aromatic notes they have absorbed from the rich soil and generous sun.
This year, the harvest arrived two weeks earlier than in 2023, a variation that does not surprise those who understand the importance of following Mother Nature's rhythms. The vine, with its innate wisdom, knows when the right time has come to yield its fruits.
It is not the human calendar that decides, but the course of the seasons. The vintners, faithful guardians of this ancient wisdom, do not impose timelines on nature; they observe, listen, and are ready to enter the vineyard when the vine itself calls for it.
This year, with long periods of rain and equally prolonged spells of high temperatures, careful and patient management proved crucial.
To prevent the plants from experiencing water stress, it was necessary to activate the underground emergency system known as the "drip line," and every step between the rows was an act of dedication. Every day spent observing the vineyards was a gesture of care. This constant commitment preserved the health of the grapes, which have now reached an excellent level of ripeness and are ready to produce wines that will, as always, tell not only the story of the land but also that of a complex and unique vintage.
The 2024 production is currently expected to be slightly below the seasonal average, but with grapes of excellent quality, the result of a respectful and harmonious relationship between man and nature. Patience, knowledge, and a love for the land have enabled us to overcome the challenges posed by the climate and turn them into opportunities.
