"Aryete" Vesuvio Caprettone DOC 2021

An Aries with powerful curved horns is the image chosen by Casa Setaro to decorate the beautiful label of this Aryete, Vesuvio DOC, 100% Caprettone. An ancient vine from Campania, this grape risked extinction, having been almost completely forgotten and ignored for a long time by local producers, who were more interested in working with simpler, more profitable varieties. Fortunately, this pearl of our ampelographic heritage has been saved by some enlightened companies, such as Casa Setaro, which have decided to return to this grape to produce modern and interesting wines. Vineyards on low hills, at about 250-300 metres above sea level, the Caprettone grapes used to produce this white wine come from the Tirone della Guardia area, inside the Vesuvius National Park. The vinification process starts with destemming and the rapid separation of the must from the skins. This is followed by the temperature-controlled fermentation phase, which in this case takes place in oak amphorae and tonneaux. These are the same containers that will then house the finished wine for about six months for maturation before bottling. Brilliant golden yellow in colour, this traditional white wine has a complex and ample bouquet, with notes of broom and cedar, followed by intriguing balsamic aromas. In the mouth it is persuasive and enveloping, with a powerful sapidity, typical for the variety, well balanced by a pleasant softness. Try it as an aperitif, as an alternative to the classic bubbly, or in combination with a fresh buffalo caprese.