The Wine

The Rosso Fortificato Merlino from Pojer e Sandri winery is the first wine of this kind created in Italy. It is produced with partially fermented Lagrein grape must with an addition of a brandy produced by the winery with schiava and lagarino grapes. 17 – 04 indicates the year of the product; 17 is the year of wine while 04 is the year of brandy.

THE WINEMAKING

The Lagrein grape is harvested very ripe and is then put for 1-2 nights in a cold room to lower its temperature. After destemming  it goes through a cold maceration that lasts  5 to 6 days; this step is done in order to increase the aromatic extraction. Fermentation is interrupted at 4-5 ° degrees of alcohol and brandy aged more than 10 years is added. In this phase it is very important to mix the distillate so as not to “burn” the wine. After all the fermentation processes, the distillate is moved to oak barrels where the brandy produced by the winery had previously aged.

THE TASTING

Intense purple color. Very fragrant, with hints of small fruits where marasca cherry, blackberry and black currant emerge, integrate with spicy notes of vanilla, which leave space for puffs of coffee and cocoa. Warm and sweet on the palate, very structured and of great harmony.

FOOD PAIRINGS

Finally also in Italy there is a wine that goes very well with chocolate, all desserts made with chocolate or coffee. Excellent on strawberries but also as an after dinner meditation wine.

The Awards 

2013
– 3 vines (wine of great stylistic and organoleptic profile) by the Italian Sommelier Association
– 2 glasses by the Gambero Rosso guide
– Luca Maroni: 97/100