letuffeau.com
(Link)
“There are native grapes that are found in only one country. Then there are native cultivars that are found only in one region of that country. And there are even natives found in only a few areas of that one region. Now meet Nascetta, which takes the meaning of locally grown to a whole new level: it is a one-town native.” Native Wine Grapes of Italy — Ian d’Agata
Cascina Sot
Monforte d’Alba, Langhe (Piedmont)
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“As stated by the Italian wine expert, Ian d’Agata, Nascetta is a rarity. A true insiders grape where the total vine hectarage planted is far smaller than a single great Chateau in Pauillac, smaller indeed than many Burgundy Cru.
Apparently, the locals of the town of Novello (the hometown of the grape) do not even seem to know much of its history! No wonder it was almost lost to history. Thankfully, it was approved as one of the few white grapes for the Langhe DOC (divine intervention?) … and here were are, with the wonders wrought into the bottles by Cascina Sot.
Perhaps the best analogy is to say that Nascetta wines are an ideal mix of Sauvignon Blanc and Vermentino, but with a touch of Riesling … Another characteristic is that Nascettas are always extremely saline, a salinity that gives the wine a strong savoury quality and leaves the taster with a huge impression of acidity, though the total acidity levels aren’t really that high. … It is quite unlike any other white wine of Piedmont, and therein lies part of it’s charm.
The Native Wine Grapes of Italy — Ian d’Agata
I have certainly been charmed, as have quite the range of our clients. I regularly ship several cases of this wine up the the perpetual Summer of Newcastle and Byron … it seems that they cannot get enough of the stuff there.
Be charmed as well. Embrace obscurity: drink Nascetta. Strikes me as a perfect Autumn wine.”
— David
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~ please note : discounts are automatically applied at the digital check-out! ~
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Cascina Sot 2022 Nascetta
(Shelf Price: $98.00)
Offer: $79.00 (20%-off)
6-pack: $432.00 ($72/bottle)
“This 2022 Nascetta from Cascina Sot is a stunning and bright gold in the glass, almost the colour of clear-spun bush honey; vivid and crystal clear. The barest hint of orange too betrays its 5 days maceration; this skin-contact will bring further presence on the palate, soon to be revealed. Aromatically, this is poised beautifully between stony and saline minerality, florally inclined stone fruits, and waxy savouriness; el sombrero de tres picos! Preserved peach, candle wax, salty granite, light honey (box-gum?), exotic and fresh peppercorns (including Sichuan), and fresh slightly green apricot. Piquant: very enticing. The palate is full and juicy; a riot of gripping phenolics and tannin, lip-smacking acidity, spicy nuances, and salty minerality. Fresh yellow peach and tart apricot, cut herbs, more wax and peppercorns; enormously fresh on the finish with a wave of acidity surfing out to the far reachings of the back-lower palate. Juicy, cut-pure. Fine, delicious. I cannot help but sip
another glass.”
— David
Order here
(Link)
*nb. somehow listening to Parquet Courts while writing this note feels very right.
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Nascetta? I hardly know her!
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