Vino Novello, is a style of Italian wine rarely seen in Malta. These wines are usually bottled only a few weeks after vintage and sold immediately after bottling , around November. Novello wines are made to drink within 6 months, when they are still young, fresh and fruity. They are best served at slightly chilled. Novello from a good producer such as Zaccagnini can be a great drink and is well worth trying!
Novello wines differ from most wines in that a proportion of the grapes (at least 30%) are fermented using carbonic maceration. This is a technique where instead of crushing the grapes and fermenting the juice that is extracted, the juice is fermented within the grapes. This creates a wine that is smooth and fruity without much tannin, as well as creating new flavours.
Italian Novello is similar to French Beaujolais Nouveau in that both are made using the same techniques and released a few weeks after vintage. The main difference between the two is that while most Beaujolais Nouveau is made using the same techniques and same grapes, no two Novello’s are the same. Novello can come from different regions and use a variety of different grapes and slightly different methods of production, meaning the resulting wines can all be quite different.
Ikebana Novello – Zaccagnini
Made from 100% Montepulciano d’Abruzzo, this is a very fresh style of red wine. Red fruit aromas dominate with notes of red cherry and pomegranate. The palate is light and fruity with light, chalky tannins and a crisp, minerally finish. There is a hint of tingling spritz to the palate. A top quality Novello that is at its best slightly chilled and served with light foods.This goes very well with Marroni chestnuts! Truly Italian!!
Iv Cellars has managed to rush across a very limited supply of this delicious Italian tradition, so be quick …. get it at its best!!
Price per bottle – €10.62
Contact Ivan on 9987 3667 or for the full range, visit www.ivcellarsmalta.com
