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TENUTA SCERSCÉ

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TENUTA SCERSCÉ

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Driving North from Milan, one could easily be captivated enough to stop in one of the picturesque towns along Lago di Como and not venture any farther. Those who decide to continue on would come to understand, however, that the beauty of the region only increases and becomes more remarkable the closer one gets to the Swiss border where the Alps rise to staggering heights.  Tiny mountain villages dot the landscape, a veritable land of fairy-tale settings.  It’s easy to feel like you’ve passed into Switzerland without knowing it when, in fact, you’ve ended up in Valtellina, the northernmost part of Lombardy that forms part of the border between Italy and Switzerland. 

Valtellina is Italy’s only valley to run east to west and was carved by the glaciers that moved down the granite mountain slopes during the last ice age to the valley floor where the Adda river now runs east into Lago di Como and eventually into the Po river.  It is unarguably one of the most dramatic landscapes in Italy and home to some of the most extreme vineyards in the world.  In 2018 UNESCO declared this region of tiny vineyards perched upon impossibly steep slopes and built into ancient terraces called muretti a World Heritage Site.  Some of the terraces date back to the middle ages and, if placed end to end, would stretch a distance of 1,500 miles long.  

It’s easy to fall in love with this land and the landscape and there have, no doubt, been many people who’ve visited and then spent their days and nights dreaming up ways to take over a small plot of land to make wine from the local Nebbiolo grape, called Chiavennasca, which produces alpine red wines with personality, elegance and finesse.  

One such person is Cristina Scarpellini who turned the dream into reality when she agreed to rent an acre of vineyards from a viticolore client in Valtellina in 2008.  At the time, Cristina was an international business lawyer and the one acre of vines was only a hobby endeavor.  It didn’t take long for Cristina to understand the potential of this hobby and she transitioned out of law and moved to make it her full-time reality.  Tenuta Scerscé was born out of this dream and today produces the traditional wines of the region:  Rosso di Valtellina DOC, Valtellina Superiore DOCG, Valtellina Superiore DOCG Riserva and Sforzato di Valtellina DOCG – all from Chiavennasca.  

It’s taken some years, but Cristina has dedicated her time and her vision to building a new winery, which is located in the eastern side of the Valtellina zone in Tirano.  In naming her winery, Cristina payed homage to the farming culture of the region, emphasizing the importance of the land. The sciarscél is a traditional two-pronged pitchfork used for small jobs on the ground around the shoot and roots of the vine.

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WINERY LOCATION: Tirano, Province of Sondrio, Valtellina, Lombardia
REGION: Rosso di Valtellina DOC, Valtellina Superiore DOCG, Valtellina Superiore Valgella DOCG Riserva, Sforzato di Valtellina DOCG, Valtellina Superiore Inferno DOCG, Valtellina Superiore Sassella DOCG
VINEYARD LAND: 17.3 acres (7 ha) / 7.4 acres (3 ha) owned in Teglio (Valgella) & 9.9 acres (4 ha) leased Bianzone and Tirano, Sondrio-Sant'Anna (Sassella), Tresivio (Inferno)
FARMING PRACTICES: Sustainable & Organic
GRAPE VARIETIES: Chiavennasca (Nebbiolo)
WINE STYLES: Dry still red wines
TOTAL WINE PRODUCTION: 45,000 bottles (33,750 liters)
YEAR FOUNDED: 2008
OWNER(S): Cristina Scarpellini
WINEMAKER(S): Attilio Pagli

WINES

TENUTA SCERSCÉ "NETTARE" ROSSO DI VALTELLINA DOC

Rosso di Valtellina DOC is a good introduction to the wines of the Valtellina, the northernmost sub-zone in the Lombardy region. The vineyards are set against the backdrop of the Rhaetian Alps, at altitudes of up to 700 m.a.s.l. Tenuta Scerscé "Nettare" Rosso di Valtellina is 100% Nebbiolo, locally known as Chiavennasca.  A little lighter and less tannic than its counterpart in Piemonte, "Nettare" is fermented and aged in stainless steel and cement tanks.  As the first wine produced after the vintage, it is a "nectar" dedicated to everyone and all occasions.

TENUTA SCERSCÉ "ESSENZA" VALTELLINA SUPERIORE DOCG

Valtellina Superiore DOCG are among Lombardy’s most prestigious wines. The vineyards for the Tenuta Scerscé "Essenza" Valtellina Superiore DOCG are fragmented throughout Teglio and Villa di Tirano, planted on rock terraces, some of which were constructed over centuries ago. Often less than one acre in size, the plants are positioned in the traditional "rittochino" method which connect each vineyard through stone stairs. "Essenza" Valtellina Superiore is 100% Nebbiolo (Chiavennasca) fermented in stainless steel and aged in second passed 50 HL oak casks for 24 months. The wine exhibits the "essence" of Valtellina - a great harmony between tannic structure, fruit and freshness.

TENUTA SCERSCÉ "INFINITO" SFORZATO DI VALTELLINA DOCG

"Sforzato" (Sfursat) is the most well-known and oldest of the Valtellina wines.  The term Sforzato translates to “strained” and the method in which the grapes are forced through (s)forzatura delle uve to obtain greater concentration. Similar to Amarone, the Nebbiolo grapes are late-harvested in October and left to dry in boxes for two months - usually on the upper floors of the winery.  The cool Alpine winds and the “La Breva” breezes from Lake Como aid in an even drying process. The “appassimento” method concentrates the sugars and results in a wine with more body and alcohol.  The name “Infinito” evokes the potential of this wine and its incredible length, elegance and body.

TENUTA SCERSCÉ "CRISTINA SCARPELLINI" VALTELLINA SUPERIORE VALGELLA DOCG RISERVA

Cristina Scarpellini Riserva was born from a desire to create a singular wine from the first vineyard Cristina purchased. The name of the sub-zone where this vineyard is located, Valgella, is derived from the word valgel, a dialect expression that refers to the small creeks that run though the zone. This wine is the heart of Cristina and it bears her name because it represents her beginnings, her hard work in the vineyard and her pride in having come this far.  It also sums up the entity of the company through its style and elegance - both inside and outside the bottle. The portrait of Cristina on the label was created by the artist Valentina D'Andrea. Cristina's passion is represented by the hearts and her sense of freedom in winemaking by the flying berries and leaves. It is an artisanal wine in every sense.

TENUTA SCERSCÉ "FLAMMANTE" VALTELLINA SUPERIORE INFERNO DOCG

Released in December 2020, Flammante was born from the desire to experiment with winemaking in different crus, soils and altitudes. The name Flammante (flaming in Italian) reflects the nature Inferno, the hottest sub-zone in Valtellina where the vineyards are grown in terraces on dizzyingly steep slopes and are subjected to torrid heat.  Terraces from the Rhaetian rocks found throughout the region were painstakingly built into stony terraces that line the hillsides.  Flammante is a wine with a fiery character - warm, full and lasting.  

TENUTA SCERSCÉ "INCANTO" VALTELLINA SUPERIORE SASSELLA DOCG

Incanto was born from the desire to experiment with winemaking in different crus, soils and altitudes. It entered the market in December 2020. This wine is produced in the Sassella sub-zone, which takes its name from the Madonna della Sassella shrine. Sassella is a reference to stones, to the lined dry stone walls embedded in the mother rock: "sasso", in fact, means "stone". The name Incanto enchantment expresses the magic of the wine and this particular sub-zone.

LOCATION


WINERY:
Tirano, Valtellina

VINEYARD:
Tirano, Sassella, Inferno and Teglio (Valgella)

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NEWS AND REVIEWS FROM OUR FRIENDS IN THE INDUSTRY



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92
DECEMBER 2022
Tenuta Scerscé "Flammante" Valtellina Superiore Inferno DOCG 2019

The Tenuta Scerscé 2019 Valtellina Superiore Inferno Nebbiolo Flammante is an elegantly slim and lithe expression, with a very fine filigree of aromas that rise delicately from the bouquet. There is redcurrant and wild plum, but perhaps the aromas that leave the longest impression are the floral tones of rose and lilac. With time, a lactic aroma of spicy Pecorino cheese also comes forward.

90
JANUARY 2024
Tenuta Scerscé "Cristina Scarpellini" Valtellina Superiore Valgella DOCG Riserva 2019

Dark wild berries, savory spices and roasted earth aromas define the nose of this brooding wine made from Nebbiolo. Ripe black cherries open the palate giving way to more floral, herbal and mineral notes on the long and deep finish.

92
APRIL 2023
Tenuta Scerscé "Flammante" Valtellina Superiore Inferno DOCG 2020

Creme de cassis, berries, mushrooms and some herbs on the nose. Medium-bodied with firm tannins. Balanced and flavorful with bright acidity and a focused finish with excellent length. Nebbiolo. Drink or hold.

91
FEBRUARY 2021
Tenuta Scerscé "Infinito" Sforzato di Valtellina DOCG 2017

DISCOVERING VALTELLINA PLUS 10 TOP PRODUCERS WORTH KNOWING

Infinito comes from vineyards at breezy heights of 550 to 720 metres and is a selection of the best bunches from 40- to 60-year-old vines. Grapes are picked in the first week of October and dried until the beginning of December. It exudes ripeness with prune and fig on a background of chocolate and chai spice. Soft, plush fruit upfront gains nuance from an exotic mix of botanicals and is shored up by caressing tannins. Well proportioned and balanced. Drinking Window 2021 - 2026

92
APRIL 2023
Tenuta Scerscé "Cristina Scarpellini" Valtellina Superiore Valgella DOCG Riserva 2019

A crisp and juicy red with sour cherries, red currants, wild strawberries, dried leaves and bark on the nose. Medium body with bright acidity and firm tannins. Vivid yet structured with a crunchy finish. Nebbiolo. Drink or hold.

92
FEBRUARY 2021
Tenuta Scerscé "Nettare" Rosso di Valtellina DOC 2018

The bouquet is elegant and streamlined, but this wine really comes alive in the mouth with fresh acidity and a zesty sense of energy derived from delicate berry aromas. A great value wine, the Tenuta Scersce 2018 Rosso di Valtellina Nebbiolo Nettare opens to a lean and compact appearance with wild berry, violet, crushed stone, licorice and some iron ore, while the finish is tart and crisp. It would be great with sliced pears and cheese. But as they say here in Lombardy: "Al contadino non far sapere quant'è buono la Gorgonzola con le pere." (Translation: Never let the farmer know how good it is to taste Gorgonzola with pears.) This was a wonderful release of 16,200 bottles.

92
JANUARY 2021
Tenuta Scerscé "Nettare" Rosso di Valtellina DOC 2018

A fresh, fruity red with orange and lemon undertones. Lightly candied cherries, too. Light body. But there’s subtle complexity. Some crushed stone. Really bright. Drink now

92
JULY 2022
Tenuta Scerscé "Flammante" Valtellina Superiore Inferno DOCG 2019

A nebbiolo that shows lots of Mediterranean spices and herbs, together with strawberries, dried earth and minerals. A medium-bodied, textured palate, showing dried-herb savoriness on the transparent but austere center-palate. Firm, savory and dry. Drink or hold.