Muraje "Percia" Vino Rosato, Piedmont, Italy 2023

FROM THE PIEDMONT GUY:

THE WINE: 95% Nebbiolo and 5% other local minor red grapes, widespread in the Canavese and Pre-Alpine areas (Neyret, Ner d'Ala, Vernassa and others). Vineyards are cultivated between 300 and 600 mt above sea level, on centuries old terraces supported by dry stone walls on rocky amphitheater of Carema town in province of Turin (Piedmont, north-west of Italy). “Percia” is the dialectal term to indicate the second wooden beam (starting from the lowest which is the “Sumié”) of the order of beams that make up the Caremese pergola structure: the “Lasù” rests on the “Percia”, which in turn rests on the larger “Sumié”.

THE PRODUCER: In local dialect, muraje refers to the imposing rock walls that retain vine-laden terraces lining the steep slopes of the extraordinary amphitheater of Carema in Alto Piemonte. For centuries, this heroic viticultural technique has rendered possible the production of quite arguably the most enthralling expression of Nebbiolo in existence. The Nebbiolo planted in Carema is of the rare Picotener or Picotendro clone, which has gracefully adapted to the zone’s severe rainfall and high pH soils. Enamored of this environment, Federico and Deborah Santini launched the Muraje label in 2016, having since restored 1.3 hectares of old-vine parcels boasting local grape varieties like Neyret, Ner d’Ala, Pugnet, and Vernassa. Federico and Deborah vinify trace quantities of their ethereal wines in a tiny garage tucked among the winding streets of historic Carema.