Riesling 'Praepositus' Abbazia di Novacella 2022
The Riesling "Praepositus" is a rich and elegant white wine, aged for 9 months in steel. Aromas of fruit, citrus, and medicinal herbs integrate with mineral and smoky notes that lead to subtle hints of hydrocarbons in a full, balanced, and elegant tasting experience.
The Riesling “Praepositus” from the Abbazia di Novacella is produced in the province of Bolzano, in an ancient Abbey, whose foundation dates back to 1142 thanks to Bishop Hartmann. In a short time, it became an important spiritual and cultural center, a place of liturgies and solemn celebrations in the medieval era. From 1177 Pope Alexander III recognized the surrounding land holdings to the monastery, and from that moment the first vine cultivations began, covering an area of about 900 hectares; with the 19th-century secularization, part of this land ceased to belong to the abbey, but from that moment and still today the farmers of the area donate their grapes, so that excellent quality wines can be produced in the monastery's cellars.
The grapes of the Riesling “Praepositus” from the Abbazia di Novacella come from the Bressanone basin and grow at an altitude between 650 and 750 meters above sea level. The soil features morainic deposits composed of mica schist, paragneiss, and quartzite, resulting in a final product with a strong character; the climate is characterized by cold winters with abundant snowfall, mild summers before which spring frosts often occur. The exposure is south/southwest, excellent because the sun's rays consistently hit the rows and provide complete ripening to the grapes at harvest time. The harvest is done manually around mid-September; once in the cellar the alcoholic fermentation process begins in steel, where aging also takes place for about 12 months. It rests in the bottle for about 6 months before marketing.
In the glass, the Riesling “Praepositus” from the Abbazia di Novacella appears golden yellow with brilliant reflections. The bouquet of aromas is varied and powerful: intense aroma of orange, peach, and dehydrated apricot combined with candied pineapple and wildflower honey. On the palate, the texture is pleasant and enveloping, with an elegance and a pleasant final persistence that calls you back glass after glass. It pairs perfectly with first courses dressed with meat sauces, cuts of white meat in sweet and sour; also interesting with Mediterranean-style fish dishes. Perfect for tasting on the occasion of the Christmas Eve dinner, to accompany the traditional menus of our peninsula and enjoy the authentic flavors thanks to a conscious production.