Nivole: more to love, more to share
Michele Chiarlo’s iconic Moscato d’Asti is now available in 750ml bottles
The worldwide success of Moscato d’Asti Nivole has long been upheld by its fine bubbles, elegant aromas and unmistakable freshness: it is the fruit of its chosen territory of origin. But that’s not all. The iconic and slender 375ml bottle has also helped win over international customers and the most important restaurants in the world.
Today, in compliance with its philosophy to enhance the best varieties of Piedmont, the Chiarlo family strengthens its commitment to the promotion of Moscato and launches the 750ml bottle on the market, a new addition to the smaller bottle.
Moscato Nivole 2021 will also feature restyled graphics, adorning the label with shades of gold.
NIVOLE MOSCATO DOGC
The hills of Moscato d’Asti Docg Nivole
At the end of the 19th century, the selected territory for Moscato Bianco was limited to “those hills and valleys” bordered to the north by Asti and the Tanaro River, to the south by the Bormida River, “forming, together, an area that can rightly be referred to as the territory of Moscato”. Within this area – defined by Strucchi, author of an important monograph on this vine – “by far, the most important”, there can be found “a series of neighboring Municipalities” where Moscato is purposely cultivated, frequently bearing excellent fruits. Among the municipalities listed by Strucchi are Calosso, Canelli, Castiglione Tinella, Mango and Santo Stefano Belbo, constituting what would later be known as the homeland of Moscato d’Asti D.O.C.G. (Il Moscato di Canelli di A. Strucchi e M. Zecchini, 1895, p. 17)
Nivole Moscato d’Asti Docg
EXPOSURE: South-east, south-west
VINE TRAINING: Guyot
SOIL: of marine sedimentary origin, white, sandy
2021 VINTAGE
“The 2021 vintage turned out to be as excellent as the previous one: it is rare to obtain such results in two consecutive years” – states Stefano Chiarlo, winemaker and the winery’s owner together with his father Michele and brother Alberto. “The climatic trend of 2021 was characterized by a mild July followed by a hot and dry August, which created the ideal conditions that ensured perfect health and balance between sugar content and acidity, which remains very present. The circumstances have been ideal for the development of a rich and elegant bouquet, revealing marked terpene aromas and hinting to a wine characterized by fine bubbles and sapidity, with a dry and not excessively sweet finish, fully embodying the style of Nivole”.
VINIFICATION NOTES
After being harvested by hand, the whole grapes underwent soft pressing; the must was then stored in stainless steel vats at -2°C. Slow fermentation in autoclave at a controlled temperature was then carried out until 5% of alcohol content was reached. During this process, part of the carbon dioxide developed during fermentation remained “trapped” in the wine, giving it its natural and slight fizz. Before bottling, the wine was subjected to microfiltration to endow it with transparency and purity, and to prevent further fermentation in the bottle.