This variety – Nosiola – is an ancient, regional specialty of Trentino-Alto Adige in Northern Italy, known for its distinctive hazelnut aromas that occur naturally, not from long-term oak or bottle aging (which can also contribute nuttiness in white wines). In Italian, “nocciola” means hazelnut, a clear etymological link.
After learning about this unique variety, we had to track down a wine made from it. When we discovered that Azienda Agricola Foradori makes a single variety expression, we were sold!!
This wine was made biodynamically, with ancient practices in the winery, including 8 months of skin contact in clay amphorae. The resulting wine is alive, awakening as it breathes, and evolving from sip to sip.
It first opened with notes of lemongrass, lemon verbena, fresh mint and basil, and delicate white pepper. As it evolved, it took on notes of geranium, white blossom, honeydew, grapefruit pith, elderberry, and wet stones. With even more time, I detected some of that hazelnut character, although, admittedly, it could have been the power of suggestion leading me there…
One thing is for certain: it’s delicious, layered, and like nothing we’ve tasted before. — a year ago
Exclusively from their vineyards in the northern part of Vinho Verde, Monção and Melgaço. I’ve been there! That’s where I accidentally got up two hours early cause my clock switched to Spain time and I thought that meant I'dn need to get up an hour early. Contacto has a little more skin contact than average, turning up with a slight texture and friendly bitter bite. On the nose, it’s fresh lemon zest, wet stone and whetstone, with a bit of white flower. The palate is utterly thirst-quenching, veering into dried apricot territory and a bit of (as I said above) fun bitterness countering the fruit. It all wraps up with a sluice of salinity. Fun, fun, fun! — 4 months ago
undoubtedly the most complete skin contact i have ever had. it's just all there. thrilling stuff. — 9 months ago
Intense spicy fruit — a year ago
Clay Bullwinkel
Robust skin contact for weeks - array of rich mountain herbs, nuts, tannins. Not a wall flower! — a month ago