What kind of wine is Valtellina Superiore Riserva DOCG 'Contrada Moroni' 2019 - Ascesa

The Valtellina Superiore Riserva DOCG 'Contrada Moroni' 2019 - Ascesa is a mountain red wine that authentically expresses the character of Nebbiolo cultivated on the heroic terraces of Valtellina. It originates in the eponymous district, just above the borders of the Sassella subzone, where the vines climb slopes between 660 and 690 meters above sea level. This extremely high level of cultivation gives the wine freshness, elegance, and aromatic depth, making it a red wine of great personality and longevity.

Vintage Details

The 2019 vintage in Valtellina is remembered for its balanced climatic conditions: a warm summer without excesses and a stable and dry harvest period. These factors allowed for perfect ripening of the Nebbiolo grapes, with an optimal balance between sugars, acidity, and aromatic components. The result is a harmonious wine, where structure and freshness go hand in hand.

Winemaking and aging

The Valtellina Superiore Riserva DOCG 'Contrada Moroni' 2019 - Ascesa is born from spontaneous fermentation with indigenous yeasts, which enhances the identity of the terroir. Vinification takes place with long macerations on the skins to best extract color and elegant tannins. This is followed by aging for 24 months in fourth and fifth-passage barriques and in tonneaux, already used woods that allow the wine to mature without excessive wood influence, maintaining the intact finesse of the fruit and the typical minerality of the Valtellina soils.

Tasting Notes

A complex yet balanced wine, which invites tasting and reveals itself sip after sip.

Color

It presents itself in the glass with a luminous garnet red, typical of evolved Nebbiolo, transparent but intense, a sign of elegance and balanced maturation.

Nose

On the nose, it expresses fine and layered aromas: small ripe red fruits, floral notes of withered violet, slight spicy nuances, and a balsamic hint. The bouquet evolves in the glass, revealing sensations of undergrowth and delicate mineral hints.

Palate

On the palate, it is vibrant and refined. The body is of medium structure, supported by well-polished tannins and a pleasant freshness that prolongs the persistence. The long and clean finish leaves sensations of red fruit and light spices, confirming the elegant and agile soul of this mountain wine.

What dishes to pair with Valtellina Superiore Riserva DOCG 'Contrada Moroni' 2019 - Ascesa

This wine finds its balance alongside traditional Valtellina dishes and Italian mountain cuisine. Perfect for accompanying convivial moments and important dinners, it gives its best with:

• pizzoccheri and pasta dishes with game ragu;
• roasts and slow-cooked red meats;
• flavorful braised and stewed dishes;
• aged cheeses, especially Bitto and Valtellina Casera.

Also a good pairing with dishes based on porcini mushrooms or with risottos with a strong flavor.

Storage and aging: how to store Valtellina Superiore Riserva DOCG 'Contrada Moroni' 2019 - Ascesa wine

To best preserve the qualities of this wine, it is advisable to store it in a cool and dark environment, at a constant temperature of around 12-14°C, with controlled humidity and the bottle lying down to keep the cork moist. It can be enjoyed immediately after adequate oxygenation time, but it also offers its best after years of bottle aging. Thanks to its structure and natural freshness, the Valtellina Superiore Riserva DOCG 'Contrada Moroni' 2019 - Ascesa can evolve positively for over a decade, revealing increasingly complex and harmonious nuances over time.