Barbera d’Asti Superiore ‘Bionzo’, La Spinetta

La Spinetta Barbera d’Asto Superiore ‘Bionzo’ comes from Barbera grown in the 14 hectare Bionzo vineyard in Castigliole d’Asti. The vines are 45-55 years old and grow on calcareous soil at 300 meters above sea level, at a southern exposure. Harvest usually happens in the last week September to early October, after which time, the grapes are fermented in rotofermenters for 6 to 7 days. The wine then ages for 16-18 months in new, medium toasted, French oak barrique. Malolactic fermentation takes place in the barrique. The Bionzo Barbera is aged for another three months in bottle before its release. The wine is not filtered of clarified.