"Il Lorese" Vino Cotto Stravecchio

"Il Lorese" Vino Cotto Stravecchio Riserva Varco41 – Marche

94 points at the Gilbert & Gaillard International Challenge 2019, for a wine that ages between 12 and 14 years inside wooden barrels over forty years old, of oak and chestnut.

Vino cotto ("cooked wine") is one of the oldest beverages of the Marche, with evidence dating back to Roman times. Loro Piceno, in the province of Macerata, is considered its historic capital. It is here that Azienda Agricola Lorese, run by Cristian Ercoli, produces the Riserva Varco41, the most aged version of its range: above the base line (6-8 years in barrel) and the Riserva Decimo (10-12 years).

The must, from native Trebbiano, Sangiovese and Montepulciano grapes, is slowly boiled in copper cauldrons over a direct wood fire for 10-12 hours, until it is reduced by 30-50% of its initial volume. The still-hot must then passes into the same centuries-old barrels, where the Riserva Varco41 continues its ageing through periodic top-ups over the years.

The result is a wine dark and amber in appearance, where the nose recalls cooked fruit alongside notes of caramel and honey, while on the palate the sweetness extends into a soft, persistent sip.

A meditation wine par excellence, also perfect at the end of a meal with dry pastries or alongside aged and blue cheeses.

Origin: Loro Piceno, province of Macerata (Marche, Italy)
Grape variety: Trebbiano, Sangiovese, Montepulciano (cooked must)
Ageing: 12-14 years in barrels over forty years old
ABV: 15% vol
Awards: 94 points, Gilbert & Gaillard International Challenge 2019