Principe Pallavicini Lazio Stillato Passito di Malvasia Puntinata 2011
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The Principe Pallavicini winery was established by one of Italy’s oldest noble families. With over 300 years of viticultural experience, the family focuses on the development of the winemaking business in order to produce wines of impeccable quality in the magical, inimitable Lazio terroir.
Principe Pallavicini represents the largest, private estate in Frascati. Of the 208 acres of vineyards at their Colonna (Pasolina and Marmorelle) and Cerveteri holdings, 133 acres are dedicated to the cultivation of white varietals for the production of Frascati DOCG. In-depth knowledge of the land has led to identifying the best vineyards, and after careful study and experimentation conducted in the field and in the cellar, these vineyards are producing increasingly more refined and enjoyable wines with their own outstanding personality.
The team of agronomist Mauro de Angelis, winemaker Carlo Ferrini and resident winemaker Carlo Roveda controls every aspect of production, from cultivation to bottling. Great efforts are taken to maintain the rich character of each varietal. Careful selection, chilled transportation and tailored vinification techniques ensure that the final wines have the bright, nuanced personality of the varietals that went into them.
Persistent with jasmine aromas and tropical fruit flavors, both grape and name are far-reaching. Approximately 70 registered grapes contain Malvasia as part of their name or are listed as a synonym. The French call it Malvoisie, Germans call it Malvasier, British say Malmsey and confusingly one variety double-times under the alias, Boal, on the island of Madeira. In any case, Italy has more forms of Malvasia than any other country: Malvasia Bianca di Candia, Malvasia di Candia Aromatico and the red-skinned Malvasia di Casorzo from Piedmont. The list goes on. Somm Secret—The actual name could stem from an Italian mispronunciation of Monemvasia, a southern Greek port.
Known as the ancient homeland of the Latins, today there is a vigorus wine industry beyond the city limits of modern, bustling Rome. The Cesanese grape, full of red berry, spice and rose, is responsible for Lazio’s only true local reds. Lazio’s most famous white wine, called Frascati, is based on the local Malvasia del Lazio and Trebbiano Toscana. A sweet version, called Cannellino di Frascati, is also made.