Colline Novaresi Vespolina Villa Horta, Antichi Vigneti di Cantalupo

COLLINE NOVARESI VESPOLINA VILLA HORTA

D.O.C.

Grape

Vespolina (Ughetta, local name from Ghemme)

Vineyard

Breclema, Carella, Valera, Baraggiola and Cavenago

Breeding system

espalier with Guyot pruning

Soil characteristics

gravely morainic hill, rich in minerals

Altitude

280 – 310 metres above sea level

Grape harvest

the end of September

Wine-making

the grapes are removed from their stalks and not crushed, processing the wine with controlled temperatures. The drawing off of the wine is done prematurely adopting a particular technique of repassing the must over the grape dregs extracting from the grape solids the most delicate part particularly abundant in this variety

Refinement

done incontainers of inoxidizable steel and afterwards in bottles, which are laid horizontally

Longevity

for 2 or 3 years pleasantly maintaining its freshness

Wine tasting

a beautiful, ruby red colour with a pleasant aftertaste, floral perfumes, one of which is the cyclamen flower which at one time covered “Fenera”, the mountain which overlooks Ghemme’s vineyards and has participated in the hill’s orogenesis. Tantalising one’s palate with its delicate flavour of wonderful softness and fullness, round and balanced, which persuades and persists

Food combinations

suitable for light meals, first courses and dishes based on white meats. It is also an excellent addition to creative cooking

Tasting temperature

not more than 15° C. During the summer season, it is even better drunk cooler

The name of the wine

“Villa Horta” was the name cited by the emperor Otho the first of Saxony in 962, in a donation given to the friars of San Giulio of Orta, historical vineyard owners in Ghemme and Breclema. During the harvest, the must of those grapes was transported to the island in Lake Orta where it was then made into wine in the cellars located at this historical lakeside basilica