Faedesfa, Nello 2023/24
Place: Colli Eugane, Italy
Grape: Corbinello
Vibe: Crazy but classy
A more experimental sparkling from Alberto, combining techniques of both ancestral and traditional methods. The 2023 Corbinello was directly pressed into tonneaux, where it fermented and matured for a year. In 2024, more Corbinello fermenting in fibreglass was blended with the aged wine from the previous year before being bottled, allowing a natural second fermentation to kick off. It rested here for over a year, without any additions of sugar, yeast or sulphur before its disgorgement. It's labour-intensive and kinda mad scientist vibes so I understand why more people aren't doing this but they really should. It's got the complexity and serious streak of really good saignee. Smoky and savoury, with a balsamic thing grounding the redcurrant and rhubarb like fruit. Can't get enough.