Ca' del Bosco : Dosage Zero 2021

Characteristics and tasting notes of the Ca' del Bosco Dosage Zero 2021

Tasting

Appearance
Displaying a vibrant straw-yellow hue, this wine shimmers with subtle golden reflections. Its effervescence stands out with remarkably fine and persistent bubbles.

Nose
The aromatic bouquet opens with notes of white and yellow-fleshed fruits, reminiscent of apple and nectarine. It is then enriched with nuances of ripe fruits, dried fruits and sweet spices, complemented by elegant hints of vanilla and toasted almond or hazelnut.

Palate
The attack is lively, driven by a beautiful acidic tension. The mid-palate reveals itself as structured while offering a delicately creamy texture. The long, straight finish extends into citrus and slightly saline notes, accompanied by a hint of nuts, all without any perception of sweetness.

Food and wine pairings

This bone-dry sparkling wine elevates seafood, particularly raw or lightly seasoned fish such as tartares and carpaccios, as well as oysters and caviar. It also pairs beautifully with grilled shellfish, seared scallops, or refined white meats and poultry served with lightly creamed sauces or mushroom risottos.

Other characteristics

This wine stands out for its extremely dry profile, with no dosage liqueur added at disgorgement. Its pH is 3.02, with a total acidity of 6.70 g/L and a volatile acidity of 0.34 g/L. The alcohol content is 12.5% vol.

The elegance of a Franciacorta wine crafted by Ca' del Bosco in Lombardy

The estate

Located in Lombardy, the renowned brand Ca' del Bosco is an iconic name of the Franciacorta appellation. While the property was acquired in 1964, the true creation of the wine estate dates back to 1968 with the planting of the first vines. Today led by Maurizio Zanella, the current owner, the estate spans 207 hectares. It is distinguished by its rigorous technical approach, including organic viticulture and the meticulous washing of each grape cluster before vinification, thus offering wines of great purity.

The vineyard

The grapes come from a mosaic of certified organic plots located in the heart of Franciacorta. The Chardonnay is sourced from 31 vineyards with an average age of 25 years, spread across the communes of Erbusco, Adro, Cazzago San Martino, Corte Franca and Passirano. The Pinot Noir comes from 11 plots roughly 32 years old located in Erbusco and Passirano, while the Pinot Blanc is grown on 2 vineyards of 32 years in Passirano.

The vintage

The year 2021 began with a mild winter with little rainfall, leading to an early budburst at the end of March. A late frost episode on 6 and 7 April caused some damage in the vineyards, followed by a vegetative recovery slowed by cold and rain. Flowering took place a week late, at the end of May. Despite a hailstorm in late July, an African heatwave in early August helped preserve an excellent sanitary condition of the grapes until harvest, which began on 17 August.

Winemaking and aging

The making of the Dosage Zero 2021 follows a meticulous method. The clusters, harvested by hand, are washed and dried individually before being pressed away from oxygen. The base wines then ferment in small oak barrels where they mature for five months. The blending of the cuvée takes place seven months after the harvest. Following the tirage in April 2022, the wine benefits from an extended aging on lees for an average of 53 months. Disgorgement is carried out without oxygen and without any addition of dosage liqueur. Each bottle is individually marked to ensure perfect traceability.

Grape varieties

This wine is made from a blend of 81% Chardonnay, 16% Pinot Noir and 3% Pinot Blanc.