ARNEIS
Sprout: April
Flowering: May / June
Initial ripening/color change: July / August
Ripening: September
Harvest: September
Pruning system: Guyot or mixed system with one fruiting cane with 10-12 buds
Arneis is produced from the grapes of the vine variety of the same name grown in several municipalities of the province of Cuneo, on the left bank of the Tanaro River. According to legend, Tanaro was charged by Persephone with the task of separating the Roero area from the Langhe. The main element that distinguishes this area is the sandy soil. In fact, it is often said that the wines are made on the beach.
The municipalities where Arneis is produced are: Canale, Corneliano d'Alba, Piobesi d'Alba, Vezza d'Alba, Baldissero d'Alba, Castagnito, Castellinaldo, Govone, Guarene, Magliano Alfieri, Montà, Montaldo Roero, Monteu Roero, Monticello d'Alba, Pocapaglia, Priocca, S. Vittoria d'Alba, S. Stefano Roero and Sommariva Perno. The names in the procedural guideline are Roero Arneis, Langhe Arneis and Roero Arneis Spumante, made with 100% Arneis grapes and a maximum production of 7,000 liters per hectare.
Arneis in the Piedmontese dialect refers to a mischievous character, because according to legend it is a grape that is difficult to draw. In the past, Arneis was the basic ingredient of the first experiment in making vermouth and during the crisis of the world wars it was planted between the rows of Nebbiolo to keep the birds away.
This wine received the DOC label on January 31, 1989, while the DOCG is more recent and dates from December 7, 2004. As a result of the quality boost, Arneis wine is in increasing demand.
The soft and extremely permeable soils of Roero form a base of several layers of sand, a natural carpet of marl and mineral elements that, together with temperature fluctuations, help to grow the Arneis grape, with very intense aromas of ripe fruit. It has a straw yellow color, with greenish tones when young.
The typical aromas of Arneis are those of ripe apples and yellow peaches with silky skin, followed by those of white flowers, chamomile, sage and acacia, while on the palate the immediate freshness gives way to a pleasant aftertaste of nuts.
At a young age, this wine can be perfectly combined with dishes prepared with lean fish, white meat, all kinds of vegetables and soft or medium-seasoned cheeses.