Attems is a name that encompasses the history of wine in Friuli Venezia Giulia. Indeed there is documentation that confirms ownership of land dedicated to viticulture in Collio by the Attems dynasty dating as far back as 1106. The story of Attems is thus interwoven with history: from the Patriarchate of Aquileia to the County of Gorizia, from the First World War to the present day – it is owned by the Frescobaldi family since the year 2000. The estate extends over 44 hectares of south-facing terraced slopes to the west of Gorizia, protected both from the cold northern winds and the characteristic “bora” wind of Trieste.
The vineyards are located among the plains and hills of the province of Gorizia at an average altitude of 60 meters asl.
The soil is composed by Eocene marls and sandstones created by seabed uplifting 50 million years ago and partly well-drained alluvial soils rich in stones and sand.
The harvest was conducted by hand, from the end of August to the first ten days in September.
A small portion, about 15%, of the pressed product benefits from a brief, cold temperature maceration away from air drafts. The must obtained from the soft pressing of the grapes is left to rest for 24-48 hours. Subsequently, on clear must, alcoholic fermentation is allowed to take place in steel vats at 18-20°C or 15 days. The vinification is carried out in steel containers, keeping the wines at low temperatures, thus avoiding malolactic fermentation. After fermentation, the wine rests for 4 months on the noble lees, which are frequently placed in suspension.
Winter 2020 was very balanced with temperatures that never dropped too low. A mild March seemed to announce an early budding phase facilitated by the quick warming of the soil, which in turn stimulated the grapevines’ vegetative growth. However, the Sauvignon grapes sprouted in line with previous years. The months of May and April were rather dry, which allowed the young shoots, which displayed a balanced number of inflorescences, to develop gently. The Sauvignon plants developed strongly and vigorously, and the inflorescences completed their flowering in early June. June was the wettest month of the summer, but thanks to the constant air currents in the vineyards the plants maintained a perfect state of health. The correct water balance in July and August, with regular rains alternating with dry spells, without it ever being excessively hot, helped to maintain an ideal balance between sugars and organic acids in the ripening grapes.
Clear, bright and with greenish reflections, the wine explodes on the nose with boxwood, lychee and acacia flowers. It is a wine with persisting aromas, and more mature notes of white melon. The flavor is lively and intense with pleasant citrus and scotch broom flowers.
Italy
100% Sauvignon Blanc
cork
12.5%
