“The land is as good as those who work it “
( Marcus Aurelius)
The place that attacks the mountains in vicinity to the city. The view of mountains, Mont Velán at horizons, in proximity of Valtellina, alpine pastures and the Switzerland border.
The difference with other agricultural estates, as I sent it, is that the typical agricultural estate produce and cultivate the other products, the wheat, fruits etc, but I know a few agricultural
estates,producers of wine, which are raising cows ( better to say cattle ). And not a few of them, the activity of estate Ottin could be divided into three parts, the one production ot wine, the next one is cultivation of apples and grapes, and at least the raising of cattle. At 2000 was realised the construction of the cold store for apples, the stable and the warehouse ( and the house obviously)
During the spring and estate cattle is transferred to alpine pastures, the habit typical for Valle d’Aosta. ( I wish to see at once if not more the return of cows from pastures, one particular festival of Valle d’Aosta. The termination of the estate season is noted in Valle d’Aosta very followed by people :” la dèsarpa” After a long estate season lived in pasture in a higher mountains, at the food of the highest peaks of Europe , cows are coming back from stables to down the valley ,” la dèsarpa” ( descent from Alp mountains) which opposes the beginning of the estate with
“l’enarpa “, ( ascent to the pasture).
The other term used a Cogne, in patoise dialect is “la devétéya “. Don’t ask me why, dialects from Valle d’Aosta are so different.
The milked milk is used for a production of the famous fontina ( but not only ,there are other exquisite cheeses le Tome d’alpeggio, Fromadzo, Reblec, Seras , Salignoun ) at the local cheese-dairy.
But let’s come back to speak of about the wine production. The first grape harvest of estate was realised in 2007.
I have visited the new wine cellar , ( construed in 2015 ), the barrique cellar is splendid, the another world outside the time and the stressed life, the silence place where the wine is sleeping in holly peace and where is ageing, before demonstrate all his beauty.
The first wine which I have tasted was Petite Arvine, 2019, made in steel vats only. The colour is brilliant straw yellow . The delicate aroma of white flowers, ananas, grapefruit, mountain herbs. The wine is fresh, sapid, mineral, the finish is full and persistent, the typical Petite Arvine from the Valley, which I like so much.
Nuances, 2017, the big brother. The late harvest , the grapes are touched by Botrytis Cinarea. The fermentation occurred in barrels, ageing for 12 months in tonneaux. The colour golden straw yellow . The fantastic bouquet, full of aroma of apricot, mango, exotic fruits, at the finish dried fruits and vanilla. The wine is fresh, fruity, sapid, mineral. The production cca 3000 bottles.
Pinot Noir, 2019. The fermentation is biological spontaneous , the cold maceration for 4-5 days , fermentation in steel vats. The ageing 45% in barrique, the other 55% in big barrels. The mouthfeel is fresh , the medium body, fruity. Olfactory offers aroma of forest fruits,blackberry, underbrush,at finish touch of white pepper. In the palate the wine is pleasantly acidic, fresh and smooth,medium body, with the nice fruity expression.
Torrette Superiore, 2019. 80% Petite Rouge, 10% Cornalin, 10% Fumin. The ageing in big barrels 3000 ettolitri. The ruby red colour. The olfactory offers impressions of blackberry,ribes, tobacco, herbs, slight touch of white pepper at the finish. The wine is fresh, dry, warm , smooth, the velvet tannins, pleasant persistence.
Fumin in purity, 2019. Grapes are dried in cassettes, the fermentation is done in the old big barrels. The red purple with violet reflexes. The bouquet of blackberry, forest’s fruits, tobacco, at finish marmalade of fruits. The full body wine, dry, warm, persistent.
L’Emerico, Pinot Noir 2019. The name is dedicated to Emerico Ottin, who was the first person of family, who wanted to produce Pinot Noir in purity. The grapes comes from the single vineyard situated to south-west .
Nebbiolo 2018, Clairet. The historic wine from the region, on the base of the Nebbiolo, the luxury wine. The story of this wine I have already described being telling the story of my meeting with Giulio Moriondo from the estate Vini rari. The Cuvée of three parts of Nebbiolo, the one part of the Neyret, the autochthonous variety very rare.
The grapes of Nebbiolo were dried for two or three months, the vinification method of “ rigoverno alla Toscana “. Total production is ( unfortunately ) only 1500 bottles. I can’t wait to taste the final version and to visit the vineyard of Neyret.
Nice place, nice estate, a beautiful barrels cellar and the wines to taste absolutely.
