Riesling 'Herzu' Ettore Germano 2023
The Riesling "Herzu" by Ettore Germano is a still white wine of great aromatic richness, medium structure, and good intensity. The vinification in steel, with a 6-month stay on the lees, contributes to the exuberance of its aromas, with hints of tropical fruits and delicate mineral nuances.
The Herzu by Ettore Germano represents a successful experiment in the cultivation of Riesling, a white grape variety typical of the Rhine area, in the Piedmont territory. The Germano family, owners since 1856 of six hectares of land on the beautiful Cerretta hill in Serralunga d'Alba and historically engaged in the production of Barolo, has recently discovered the potential of cultivating white grape varieties in Alta Langa: the Riesling vineyards, planted in 1995, have yielded splendid results, thanks to the particular microclimate that characterizes the area.
The Riesling vineyards that make up the Herzu are located in the small municipality of Cigliè, at the southern border of the production area of Dolcetto di Dogliani, on a hill that averages 550 meters high, composed of calcareous soil. The limestone is proportionally lower than in the Barolo area, but still in quantities sufficient to give a good structure and minerality to the wines.
These soil characteristics, together with the cooler environment, given by the climatic band that exceeds 500 m above sea level and thanks to the proximityof the mountains and the valley of the Tanaro river, contribute to a "late" maturation of white grape varieties, such as Riesling, giving freshness and complexity. Thus, the Herzu by Ettore Germano is born: a wine with pronounced "northern" characteristics, capable of standing up to the great products of Rhine viticulture.