Chiuro, Sondrio
This estate of Nino Negri wines was founded 100 years ago and has managed to combine considerable determination and targetted insight from generation to generation , two characteristics that enable their wines to express their full greatness.
To ensure top-quality results, the company invests continuously and significantly in their vineyards and cellar. Today, the cellar houses 1500 new barriques of French and American oak and they have substituted the big old barrels with over 100 smaller barrels to permit a greater selection of the wines. The stainless steel vats and fermentation vessels have also been replaced recently and this allows us them to implement new wine-making systems. They have made major investments in the vineyards, where 11 of the estate’s 31 hectares have been replanted with new clonal selections of Nebbiolo according to new contour planting systems.
“Tense” means protected, because in 1600 the vines were guarded all year round to prevent anyone from causing damage to the grapes. “Le Tense” wine is made from 100% Nebbiolo (Chiavennasca) grapes from the sub-zone of Sassella.
Sfursat is produced from a selection of the Valtellina’s best grapes, which are naturally dried. The wine made from them is particularly robust and alcoholic; it is produced only in the best years, in limited quantities.
Nino Negri’s very famous flagship wine is made from a selection of the best grapes and only in the best years: 100% Nebbiolo (Chiavennasca) grapes, picked by hand in the most acclaimed parcels of Valtellina Superiore
A ruby red of medium intensity with garnet highlights; rich and intense on the nose, developing aromas of violet, pepper and cinnamon with hints of ripe fruit, liquorice and tobacco. Dry on the palate, soft and flavoursome tannins with good acidic freshness ensuring long life to the wine
This wine owes its name to the 15th century fortified palace called "Castello Quadrio di Chiuro", home of the Nino Negri winery, built for Stefano Quadrio, governor of Valtellina in the 15th century. The wine represents a perfect marriage between the austerity of Nebbiolo and the international touch of Merlot. The Merlot cultivated on the terraces in Valtellina is characterised by very sweet fruity notes and soft, velvety tannins that manage to soften the Nebbiolo, providing a different expression of Valtellina Superiore characterised by its immediacy and drinkability.
The cold micro-climate results in a longer cycle of vegetative growth for the Nebbiolo seen in its intense ruby colour with slight garnet highlights; complex aromas with hints of dog rose and violet evolving into spicy notes such as rosemary and lavender. Dense, rich and well-structured tannins on the palate. Well-balanced fresh acidity leads to a long, flavoursome finish. Another year of bottle ageing lends ideal balance to the natural robustness of the wine.
