Fratelli Ponte Roero Arneis D.O.C.G. 2021 (750ml)

 

Rated 90 Points by James Suckling

 

A lovely nose of sliced green apple, citrus rind and white tea.  Medium bodied with charming subtly.  Fresh with soft texture.  Drink now.

 

Fratelli Ponte Roero Arneis D.O.C.G. 2021

 

Grape Variety:  100% Arneis.

 

Made from 100% Arneis grapes from vineyards located in Canale d’Alba and Castellinaldo.  The soils are calcareous and chalky.  Aged on the fine lees for 3 months to gain additional complexity.  Clear and light to medium straw color with hints of apples, pear and maybe a touch of chamomile and acacia flowers.  The flavor is dry, medium-light bodied, non-oaked, crisp, fresh white fruits and a faintly stony tone.

 

Alcohol:  13%

 

Food Pairings:  Hors d’oeuvres, antipasti first courses, shellfish, seafood, Asparagus Risotto, mild white meats, salads.

 

Serving Temperature:  6-8° C (42-46 F)

 

Origin:  Canale d’Alba & Castellinaldo.

 

Soil:  Calcareous, Chalky.

 

Harvest:  Hand-picked grapes, typically in early September.

 

Winemaking:  Stainless Steel Tank, Temperature-Controlled to retain aromatics.  Aged on the fine lees for 3 months to gain additional complexity.

 

Label:  Romano Levi label, first Designed for Fratelli Ponte with the 2007 vintage.

 

Roero Wine

 

Roero is a small DOCG wine district in the hills of Piedmont, northwest Italy.  It is known particularly for its refreshing white wines made from Arneis, but also for its bold, fragrant reds made from Piedmont's signature red wine grape, Nebbiolo.  The area takes its name from the Roero family, powerful bankers who were extremely influential here in the Middle Ages.

 

The Roero DOCG appellation laws state that Roero Rosso (the red wines of Roero) must include a minimum 95 percent component of Nebbiolo.  They must also be aged for 20 months, of which at least six must be in oak barrels.  A further 12 months is added to this minimum if the winemaker is seeking "Riserva" status for the wine.

 

The typical Roero Rosso wine is characterized by spice-tinged aromas of black forest fruits and succulent, sour cherries.  Medium-bodied and relatively high in tannins, it is less muscularly structured (and less ageworthy) than the wines of nearby Barolo and Barbaresco.

 

The classic Roero Bianco (a white Roero) must contain at least 95 percent Arneis.  The wine is dry and crisp, with blossom-like aromas complemented by flavors of fresh pear and apricot, and a nuance of hazelnut.

 

Alongside Gavi, it is one of Piedmont's most highly regarded white wines, and its popularity continues to grow.  For both red and white, any variety or varieties (of the appropriate color) permitted in Piemonte may be used to make up the remaining five percent, should this be required.

 

Arneis has not always held such prestige here, however.  The variety held a reputation as being difficult to grow (its name is actually a Piedmontese dialectal term which translates roughly as "little rascal").  Traditionally, Arneis vines were planted next to Nebbiolo vines largely as a form of protection – the Arneis grapes' stronger fragrance distracted hungry birds and insects away from the more highly prized Nebbiolo.

 

 

Cantina Fratelli Ponte

 

The culture, the passion, the art of the wine since 1968

 

The winery Fratelli Ponte is an exclusive family business, which since generations dedicated itself to the growth if its vineyards and to the production of wines with passion.  Culture, passion and the art of making Wine has been passed down from father to son.

 

The "Art of wine" is handed down from father to son

 

Fratelli Ponte is a family-run winery that’s several generations in the making.

 

The current chapter of our story began after World War II when grandfather Carlo Ponte built a small wine cellar to make wine from his Barbera vines at Bricco Ronchesio in the San Damiano d’Asti area.

 

It’s here that the culture, passion and the art of winemaking has been passed on through the generations of the Ponte Family.

 

Our father Giuseppe embraced Grandpa Carlo’s enthusiasm for wine.  In 1968 he built a new Fratelli Ponte cellar in the Frazione “Gorzano.”

With a lot of hard work and sacrifice, the vineyards have been expanded by Giuseppe and our Mom Giovanna.

 

They had three sons (and one daughter) and today the third generation of Fratelli Ponte work in the family business.  Massimo, Ivan and Renato are typically out in the vineyards, working in the cellar or presenting wines in our tasting room or at wine events around the world.

 

Winery & Vinification

 

The selection of the best grapes gives our signature to our wines

 

Brothers Ivan and Renato are trained enologists and they oversee the production and aging of Fratelli Ponte wines in the winery.

 

The vinification takes place in temperature-controlled stainless steel tanks.  Wines requiring time in wood cooperage are racked into small and medium-sized oak barrels.

 

We have a modern bottling line which allows us to bottle Fratelli Ponte wines in a clean and hygienic manner.