The first thing I told Fabio Bovina, after ending the tour of the winery was: I have seen no oak barrels, have I?
Right, the wooden barrels were given up back in 2002, though the wine world was right in the midth of the big bold smooth wines madness.
I feel connection with people who don't follow easy trends but choose their own path and stay faithful to their own philosphy. During the visit, I was deligheted to see some concrete amphoras, where the best wines are fermented and matured.
The Botti farm is located in the heart of the Bolognese hills, in the municipality of Monte San Pietro. It was founded in 1973 by Valentino Bovina, father of the current owner Fabio, who took over direct management in 1996. Over time he increased the vineyard area and expanded the cellar, transforming the company through innovative agronomic and oenological concepts.
The company is spread over about 15 hectares of vineyards, cultivated with love. The average production is around 180.000 bottles.
The production is currently obtained through the use of the best oenological techniques and the use of innovative agronomic concepts for the processing of grapes and musts. The only goal is the pursuit of quality, respecting the typicality of the territory, the vineyards and the wine.
Fabio allowed me to a very interesting wine tasting that covered a signficative part of the winery's range. I liked all the wines, but the ones that most impressed me were the amphora wines: produced in very small batches, without added sulphites and with no use of selected yeasts, naturally fermented.
Very lovely and typical, also the bottle re-fermented pignoletto.
Sotto Sopra Pignoletto frizzante: Wine obtained from Pignoletto (Grechetto Gentile) grapes, bottle re-fermented through unfermented must addition. Fresh and carefree, suitable for every moment of thirst, a summer wine.
D'Essere Pignoletto Classico Superiore: Wine obtained with grapes from the historic and restricted area of Pignoletto dei Colli Bolognesi. In the d'Essere version, vinified in amphorae, this grape finds great expression of the variety and the territory.The idea is to present a mature wine without alterations due to external notes.The color is yellow and the scent is floral with hints of hazelnut.The taste is dry, with a persistent structure.
Comeoggi Rosso dell'Emilia: Wine obtained from Negretto grapes, an ancient vine from the Bologna area, abandoned over time due to its difficult agronomic characteristics. Thanks to the experience combined with the vinification process in amphorae, the Negretto finds great expression of grape variety and territory. The use of ceramic amphoras allows you to present a wine without altering other external notes. The color is red and the scent reminds of cherries and spices. The taste is dry, with fine tannins reminiscent of northern red wines. Pairs perfectly with traditional pasta such as tagliatelle or lasagne alla Bolognese, cured meats, Bolognese cutlet.
Evolver Cabernet Sauvignon Colli Bolognesi: Wine obtained with grapes from the oldest vineyards of the company. Vinified in amphora, it finds great expression of grape variety and territory. The idea is to present a mature wine without interaction with other external factors. The color is red and the scent recalls the fruits of blackberries and plums. The taste is dry, with dense and persistent tannins. Ideal companion of red meats and aged cheeses.
The wine estate is open to visitors, for more info:
Via Elio Roda 19/1, 40050, Monte San Pietro - Bologna
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