Ca dei Frati Lugana White
NOTE : You need a mix of any 6 bottles to checkout - we ship in multiples of 6 bottles with a 6 bottle minimum.
Tasting Notes
Pale yellow in colour with a concentrated but fresh perfume of white flowers, peaches, spice and candied fruits. `I Frati` Lugana has an excellent depth and balance, and a crisp, saline finish.
Producer
The Dal Cero family has transformed their Ca’ dei Frati property, situated on the southern shores of Lake Garda, into a model Italian estate over the past two decades. Back in 1987, they had 12 hectares of vineyard but now, following the purchase of a large area of prime vineyard sites in 2008, they have over 200 hectares. This increase in quantity has been matched by an increase in quality, and today they remain the best producer in Lugana.
The quality of the wines is attributable directly to Igino Dal Cero’s obsession with detail. All their fruit is picked by hand and he ensures there is no skin contact as he wants to retain the delicate perfumes and enhance the supple texture of the whites. Igino has changed his mind on malolactic fermentation and now inhibits it in order to give the wine the lift he feels it benefits from. He is now convinced that a period of ageing on lees post fermentation gives greater richness on the palate as well as the wonderful flintiness on the nose that makes his wine so Burgundian in character.
The ‘I Frati’ Lugana is lively and scented, and continues to offer superb value. Made solely from the Turbiana variety (related to Verdicchio, it was formerly known as Trebbiano di Lugana and then Lugana), the wine has depth and zip that few wines from this area demonstrate.
Vineyards
The secret to the success of the Cà dei Frati wines is outstanding vineyards. Most producers in the zone overcrop and train the vines high. At Cà dei Frati, the vines are trained low, on single or double Guyot, newer vineyards have a higher density of planting, and yields are well below the average for the zone. Vines are 12 to 37 years old. In Lugana, the Turbiana grape is grown on the glacial soils just to the south of Lake Garda. The warmer days give wines with more weight and intensity than those from 60 kilometres to the east. The cool nights, thanks to the moderating influence of the lake, ensure the grapes retain aroma and acidity.