'Ivag' Cascina degli Ulivi - Bellotti 2022

The Ivag from Cascina degli Ulivi is a fresh and enjoyable white wine, a hymn to Alto Monferrato, the place where Stefano Belotti's winery is located. A land too often undervalued, known for producing light white wines with no inclination for aging: not for Stefano Bellotti. Stefano, a true pioneer of biodynamic philosophy who embraced all its principles since 1984, has always valued the grapes and the territory, as evidenced by some bottles capable of aging more than 10 years. Stefano, who passed away a few years ago, was a charismatic and vibrant communicator, and his winery today has about 22 hectares of vineyards, dedicated to the production of indigenous grape varieties such as Barbera, Dolcetto, Cortese, and international ones like Sauvignon and Traminer. Bottles capable of overturning preconceptions and standards of comparison, all absolutely unique.

The Igav white is an expression that comes from old vines about 60 years old. All processes, from vineyard to winery, pursue the belief of not overpowering the grape and its characteristics, operating with the utmost respect of the fruit and biodiversity. After manual harvesting, the grapes are destemmed and spontaneously fermented in 25 hl oak barrels, the same ones where malolactic fermentation occurs. No addition of sulfur nor clarification before bottling.

The Igav wine pours into the glass with a medium intensity yellow hue. Paradigmatic and expressive nose, while being spontaneous, it dispenses notes of crunchy fruit, hawthorn, and chalky nuances, with refined minerality. The sip, equipped with a disarmingly easy drinkability, never runs the risk of appearing complacent, being constantly invigorated by a proper contribution of freshness and sapidity. A wine almost whispered, which requires light pairings to enhance it. To be tried with a pasta with vegetables, or with delicate and very fresh cheeses.