NEO Pinot Nero - Oltrepò Pavese DOC Red vinification GRAPES Pinot Nero 100% PRODUCTION AREA Cultivated in vineyards owned by the Calvi family, situated on the hills of the Versa Valley in the communes of Canneto Pavese and Montù Beccaria. SOIL TYPES The soils found in our vineyards are predominantly clay and calcareous in nature. They possess a alkaline pH throughout, with elevated potential for cationic exchange. EXPOSUR: East to west facing ALTITUDE: From 140m to 200m above sea-level. GRADIENT: From 22% to 25% METHODS OF TRAINING Cordon training with simple Guyot pruning, typical of the region. The vineyards are planted with about 5500 vines per hectare. THE HARVEST After elimination of excess leaves to improve exposure of the bunches to the sun and careful assessment of ripening, the grapes are harvested by hand. VINIFICATION The grapes are picked into crates, de-stemmed and gently crushed. They are macerated on the skins with manual punching down of the cap in stainless steel vats with temperatures below 28° C: this requires from sixteen to eighteen days. Racking is then performed to separate must from pomace and only the first pass must is aged in oak casks for six to eight months. The wine is bottled in an inert atmosphere and bottle ageing takes from ten to twelve months. CHARACTERISTICS Ruby-red in colour with orange highlights developing over time. The perfume includes vanilla and liquorice together with vinous elements and fine, persistent fruit; the flavour is rich and intense. MATCHING WITH FOOD When young, it is a wine that can be consumed with any course; when aged, it is best matched with stewed and roasted meats and matured cheese. Serve at 18° C.