noSO2 (sulphur free!)
Vigneti del Vulture Pipoli Zero Aglianico del Vulture DOC
2018, Basilicata Italy
Sulphur Dioxide (SO2) free red wine
From Basilicata in southern Italy
A big, full bodied, dry style red
Senza solfiti aggiunti. Or in English – no SO2! Sulphur dioxide free wine!The title of the wine is quite a mouthful, so let’s break it down for ya:
Vigneti del Vulture – is the producer (part of the Farnese winemaking group)
Pipoli Zero – the name of the label
Aglianico del Vulture – the grape variety
DOC – denominazione di origine controllata (level two of a three tier Italian wine system for quality)
Fermented with natural yeasts without adding sulphur dioxide – they keep the wine on its skins for 40 days to keep all the polyphenols (micronutrients) to protect the wine from oxidisation due to the lack of SO2 (sulphur dioxide).
Ok, so far it’s sounding more like a science project than a wine! What does it taste like? Aglianico del Vulture is a grape variety from southern Italian grown at the foot of Monte Vulture, an extinct volcano. It produces big, full bodied, dry reds with plenty of tannins.
Ideal for lovers of a bigger style red or those looking for a wine with a more natural approach, especially wine drinkers looking to avoid the added sulphur dioxide. Try pairing it with barbecued or roasted red meats.
What are Sulphites?
Sulphites develop naturally as a by-product of fermentaton. Naturally occurring sulfites are generated in very small amounts ranging from 6 to 40 parts per million (ppm). All wine, beer and cheese contain some natural sulfites. The presence of natural sulfites is so small that it normally does not present a problem to anyone but the most sulfite-sensitive.