Prié Blanc de Morgex et de La Salle – a wine born from rock and ice
In Morgex, in Italy’s Aosta Valley, glacial moraine soils are one of the defining elements of a truly unique form of heroic viticulture.
A mix of sand, pebbles, and crushed rock ensures excellent drainage, while the mineral richness of the soil gives the wine its distinctive salinity and minerality.
The vineyards of Morgex and La Salle lie between 1,000 and 1,200 meters above sea level, making them among the highest in Europe.
Thanks to this extreme altitude and the sandy, stony texture of the moraine soils, phylloxera has never been able to survive here. As a result, the vines are still grown on their own roots (ungrafted), without American rootstock. Here, the plant communicates directly with the soil in a pure and unmediated way.
The climate does not allow vertical vine growth: Prié Blanc is trained on very low pergolas to protect the grapes from wind and harsh winter frost.
The stony ground absorbs heat during the day and slowly releases it at night, creating a precious microclimate for grape ripening.
It is in this extreme environment that a wine is born, known for its citrusy freshness, mineral notes, and vibrant acidity.
Blanc de Morgex et de La Salle 2020 – Piero Brunet
Piero Brunet manages small vineyard plots (often above 1,000 meters) with ungrafted vines that have decades of history.
All work in the vineyard is carried out by hand.
Vinification and aging take place almost exclusively in temperature-controlled stainless steel tanks.
Malolactic fermentation is avoided to preserve malic acidity, which gives the wine its signature crisp and vibrant freshness.
The wine rests for several months on its fine lees, a technique that adds a subtle roundness and complexity to the palate while balancing the grape’s natural citrus-driven verticality.
Color: very pale straw yellow with greenish reflections.
Aroma: white flowers, hawthorn, elderflower, thyme, green apple.
Palate: lightly fruity and citrus-driven, with pronounced salinity and minerality.
Its freshness and vibrant acidity shape a wine that is sharp, linear, almost austere.
It evokes for me the image of a blade forged in rock, shining under the mountain sun.
