When Friends Dream About Wine: Montevetrano in Salerno (Campania), Italy

Posted by Rowena Dumlao - Giardina 9/11/2018

When Friends Dream About Wine: Montevetrano in Salerno (Campania), Italy

The story of Montevetrano is an inspiration to everyone who dreams and who are keen to make it happen. The motivational quotation to stay positive, work hard and make it happen works well to push us in executing what we dream about. It was in 1983 in a wine bar in Rome when a group of winelover friends who frequently meet had this idea to make their own wine. At the center of it was Silvia Imparato, a professional photographer, Renzo Cotarella and his brother Riccardo Cotarella, both enologists.

The land in mind was Silvia’s 4-hectare family property on the soft hills of Salerno, where quality wine production is not practiced and it was going to be an experiment. Following the consultation of Riccardo, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot plus the local variety Aglianico were planted. Six years later, the first bottles of 90% Cabernet Sauvignon and 10% Aglianico blends were born under the name Montevetrano, named after the ancient hilltop castle that overlooks the property of Silvia. In 1995, after receiving high points of the 1991, 1992 and 1993 vintages from Robert Parker and dubbed as the Sassicaia of the South, Montevetrano went through a huge success both in Italy and abroad. It was the first red wine from southern Italy that received so much attention and praises.

From a 1,000 bottle production, now Montevetrano produces around 30,000 bottles per annum in a 26-hectare land, 5 of which are allotted to viticulture. The vineyards are located in the Monte Picentini Park at 100 meters above sea level, about 2 kilometers from the sea, and surrounded by a diversity of trees like hazelnut, oak, olives, and citrus. The original Montevetrano recipe blend has changed to about 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot and 10% Aglianico. Every vintage, the percentage varies because of the changing climate. This year’s vintage, the Aglianico has doubled to 20% while the Merlot has lessened because of the heat. The fermentation takes place in stainless steel vats then half are aged in new French oak barrique while the other half in second passage of the barrique then finally, 6 months in the bottle. The result is excellent with an intense ruby red wine with an intense and complex nose black stone fruits, berries, forest floor, toasted hints, and spices. The persistence in the mouth is long and smooth.

Aside from Montevetrano, there are other two productions of white and red wines. Core White is a blend of Fiano and Greco that has a complexity in the nose and in the palate. Tropical fruits dominate the aromas as well as minerals. It is elegant, has a good structure, equilibrated and has a long and persistent finish. Core Red instead is pure Aglianico with a ruby red color with persistence in the mouth, imprints of tannins, pleasant freshness, and complex aromas of black cherries, plums, toasted hints, spices, and herbs.