Wine Novello, also known as "autumn wine," is a historic wine whose creation is credited to a group of scientists who, by chance, discovered a new winemaking method in 1930.This technique, called carbonic maceration, was studied and refined over the years. This process allows for a very fast fermentation, thanks to which the wine produced is light and aromatic.
We asked our winemaker Luca to explain more about what this technique consists of.
What is maceration? What are the peculiarities of carbonic maceration?
Maceration is a winemaking process through which the transformation of grape sugars into alcohol occurs. Specifically, in carbonic maceration the grape bunches are not previously destemmed and crushed, this leads to intracellular alcoholic fermentation of the grape berries.
How does carbonic maceration take place?
Whole clusters are placed inside airtight tanks saturated with carbon dioxide under oxygen-free conditions. The weight of the grapes causes, through a crushing process, a partial release of the juice from the grapes located at the bottom. This triggers an initial alcoholic fermentation, which releases carbon dioxide.
The carbon dioxide released produces an increase in temperature. At this point in the berries at the top, internal fermentation begins: the berry remains internal, and a fermentation called intracellular fermentation begins inside.
This process takes 7 to 15 days.
What are the main characteristics of wine produced by this technique?
CAMPAIGN FINANCED ACCORDING TO EU REG. N. 1308/2013
The resulting wine is rich in aromas reminiscent of strawberry and raspberry. Very fruity aromas that persist for about the following 6 to 7 months.