PINOT NERO Spumante Charmat Method Oltrepò Pavese DOC 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, north- east, and north - 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. HARVEST The grapes are picked by hand slightly early after careful observation of the indices of ripening, in order to maintain good acidity. VINIFICATION The grapes are picked into crates and de-stemmed. They then undergo the process of cryo-maceration when the must is in contact with the skins for 24 hours at 2° C. The must is then separated from the pomace with gentle pressing and, after static cold racking, is fermented at a controlled temperature of between 18 –20° C: this process permits greater production of extract from the skins. The wine is then kept at a low temperature. In the spring, sugar and yeasts are added to the wine base and it undergoes re-fermentation in pressurised tanks and remains on the lees (‘sur lies’) for eight months. It is then bottled in an inert atmosphere and undergoes bottle ageing. CHARACTERISTICS Straw-yellow in colour with brilliant highlights, it possesses a fresh and fragrant perfume with definite fruity notes; the flavour is soft and lively with very well-balanced acidity. MATCHING WITH FOOD As an aperitif, or with sea food starters and fish dishes. Serve at 7 –8° C.