Vernaccia di Oristano 'Antico Gregori' Contini 1979 - 37.5cl
Contini's Vernaccia di Oristano ‘Antico Gregori’ is a warm, enveloping white wine with a robust, rich structure. Originating from Sinis, a peninsula in central-western Sardinia, this Vernaccia is produced only in the best vintages, starting with a base from 1979 that is topped up with younger Vernaccias and completed with other very old ones from the early decades of the 20th century. The result is excellent, with hints of dried fruit, honey and custard, ideal to serve with botargo or cheese with fig jam
The Vernaccia di Oristano ‘Antico Gregori’ Riserva represents the most prestigious and identity-defining label of the Sardinian winery Contini, an absolute excellence of the Oristano territory. The Contini family has been dedicated to the production of this nectar of the Sinis tradition since the late 1800s, having strongly contributed to the enhancement of Vernaccia, an ancient native white grape variety from central-western Sardinia. This process culminated in 1971 with the attribution of the denomination Vernaccia di Oristano, the first DOC of all Sardinia. The name ‘Antico Gregori’ refers to the characteristic type of stony and clayey soils on which the grapes grow, aptly named “Gregori.”
The ‘Antico Gregori’ Contini Vernaccia di Oristano Riserva is produced exclusively in the best vintages starting from only Vernaccia grapes grown in the Bassa Valle del Tirso area, just a few meters above sea level. The vines rest on lean and sandy Gregori-type soils, in the Mediterranean and breezy climate of Sinis. In the winery, the bunches are subjected to a soft pressing, followed by alcoholic fermentation at controlled temperature. The very long aging lasts decades and takes place in empty caratelli under the veil of flor yeasts, with the oldest base being topped up with small percentages of young wine in some years. This is then completed by the addition of very old Vernaccia, dating back to the early 1900s.
The Vernaccia di Oristano Riserva ‘Antico Gregori’ by Contini is golden yellow in color with amber reflections. Intoxicating aromas of fig, pastry cream, hazelnut, walnuts, and honey crowd the nose, accompanied by marine memories and hints of salted peanut. On the palate, it stands out for the warm and enveloping embrace of the alcohols, surprisingly balanced by the marked savory note and the persistent oxidative finish.