If you’ve never been there, the ancient village of Cantrina is undoubtedly worth a break: we are in the territory of the municipality eof Bedizzole, the door of Valtenesi and Lake Garda in the province of Brescia, and in this small village, lost in the hinterland between rows of vineyards, time seems to stand still really to the rhythms of an ancient rural life, far away from the discomforts of everyday life. Here the wine is an ancient presence, and you can witness it in a special way in the Averoldi farm.
“Ours has always been a winegrowers family – says Francesco Averoldi, driving this winery of 15 hectares, all grouped around the main house -. We’ve been producing wine in Cantrina for at least four generations: I was born and raised here, and I am passionate about the world of wine since I was a child thanks to my father Mosé, whom I often followed in his work in the vineyard. When he died in ’93, I took his place and since then I’ve personally dealt with the management. ”
Since 1990, Francesco has launched a program to replant the vineyards that lasted over a decade. Groppello, biotype Gentile, is the predominant grape variety with the other red grapes typical of the territory (Marzemino, Barbera, Rebo), but there are some rows of Pinot Blanc and Riesling, in obedience to an ancient tradition that wanted Cantrina known for the particular quality of its white wines (and in particular its Riesling).
Today Francesco produces about 70-80 thousand bottles, and in the past three years he has also found a way of reaching foreign markets not only in Germany, natural outlet of the Garda wines, but also the United States and China. “Since 2013 we have embarked on a favorable trend through contact with two importers which proved extremely profitable – explains Francesco -. Today we sell abroad about 25% of production, and in 2015 we saw a growth of about 30% of our business. Moreover in a year that from the qualitative point of view I consider undoubtedly as the best of my career. For sure so we have space to grow again and slowly the share of bottled wine is going up: and next year we will plant a new hectare of vineyard. ”
The range is divided into nine labels to reflect the traditionally multivarial character of the area: even if to dominate in the production portfolio are the Garda Bresciano Doc Groppello (which sees the presence of Groppello Gentile in percentage between 85-90%) and the Valtènesi Chiaretto. Do not miss an elegant Valtènesi Red, and the two white, Pinot Blanc and Riesling, produced in a few bottles but highly researched. The common thread to all products is in a particularly strong soul, typical of Bedizzole wines. “The lay of the land here is different from that of the Riviera del Garda – explains Francesco -. Here silt and clay prevail on the typical skeleton that is found in most areas close to the lake: this leads to wines that perhaps have less finesse but more power, witnessing the enormous potential , partially unexpressed, of this extraordinary territory “.
LA BOTTIGLIA
As if to confirm his words on the particularly strong character of the wines of this area, Averoldi exhibits the pride of the company, ie the Sedescoi, an IGT Benaco Bresciano produced with a 70% of Rebo grapes harvested in mid-October after plan withering and with a remaining 30% of Barbera and Cabernet Sauvignon in equal parts, withered in the loft for four months after the harvest. The assembly takes place after steel vinification and the result is put to elevate for four years in barriques of second or third step, with a percentage of 20% that ends in tonneaux. The result is a red structured and ambitious, with a volumetric degree of 14.5%, in a pleasant balance between power and elegance, almost inevitably destined to accompany brought steaming roasts in the misty winter evenings, but also the pleasant conversations at end of the meal. Currently on the market is the 2009 vintage, now running low: and considering that the Sedescoi is not produced every year, the next will be 2012 vintage that will be ready for Christmas 2016.
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