What kind of wine is Sforzato della Valtellina DOCG 'Albareda' 2021 - Mamete Prevostini

The Sforzato della Valtellina DOCG 'Albareda' 2021 - Mamete Prevostini is a dry red wine of great personality, produced in the heart of Valtellina, in Lombardy. It is made exclusively from Nebbiolo grapes (locally called Chiavennasca), selected from the valley's most suitable vineyards. This Sforzato represents one of the most prestigious expressions of Valtellina Nebbiolo, where tradition meets the pursuit of maximum quality. The result is an intense, structured, elegant wine with a long gustatory-olfactory persistence.

Vintage Details

The 2021 vintage was characterized by balanced weather, with sunny days and wide temperature variations between day and night. These conditions allowed the grapes to develop complex aromas and optimal phenolic ripeness. The harvest, carried out strictly by hand, allowed only perfect bunches to be selected for drying, an essential phase in the Sforzato style.

Winemaking and aging

After the harvest, the grapes are left to dry in well-ventilated fruit drying rooms until the end of January. During drying, the water contained in the berries slowly evaporates, concentrating sugars, aromas, and coloring substances. Fermentation takes place in stainless steel tanks, where the must remains in contact with the skins for about twenty days—this phase, called maceration, allows color and tannins to be extracted in a controlled manner. Aging continues for twelve months in oak barriques and for another ten months in the bottle, thus completing a process that gives the wine depth and harmony.

Tasting notes

The Sforzato della Valtellina DOCG 'Albareda' 2021 - Mamete Prevostini is a wine that impresses with its complexity and consistency between nose and palate. It is a meditation red, perfect for those who wish to discover all the nuances of Valtellina Nebbiolo in its noblest version.

Color

Visually, it presents an intense, brilliant, and deep garnet red, with ruby reflections that anticipate its evolutionary potential.

Nose

The aroma is broad and enveloping: notes of ripe red fruit, plum, and black cherry emerge, followed by elegant spicy hints of vanilla, black pepper, and a balsamic nuance. Its evolution in the glass reveals sensations of dark chocolate and sweet tobacco.

Taste

On the palate, the wine is full, structured, and a warm expression of dried Nebbiolo. The tannins are silky and well-integrated, the persistence is long and harmonious with a clean finish that recalls the fruity notes perceived on the nose. A perfect balance between power and elegance, a distinctive sign of the Mamete Prevostini winery.

Food pairings for Sforzato della Valtellina DOCG 'Albareda' 2021 - Mamete Prevostini

This wine expresses itself best with rich and flavorful dishes. Ideal for:

• important red meats, roasts, and braised dishes
• feathered or furred game
• aged and hard cheeses
• typical Valtellina dishes such as pizzoccheri or polenta taragna with mushrooms and cheeses

Thanks to its structure and persistence, it is also an excellent companion for a meditative after-dinner, served in large red wine glasses at a controlled temperature.

Storage and aging: how to store Sforzato della Valtellina DOCG 'Albareda' 2021 - Mamete Prevostini wine

Sforzato della Valtellina DOCG 'Albareda' 2021 - Mamete Prevostini is a wine for long aging. If stored correctly, it can evolve in the bottle for over ten years, offering new aromatic nuances over time.

• Ideal storage temperature: between 12°C and 15°C
• Light and humidity: keep away from direct light sources, maintaining constant humidity around 70%
• Bottle position: laid flat, so the cork remains in contact with the wine

Serve it at a temperature between 18°C and 20°C, after adequate oxygenation in the glass or decanter: only then will you fully appreciate its complexity and depth.