The Vettoretti family of the La Tordera winery has been growing Glera in that of Valdobbiadene for more than a century, then expanded production in the other Prosecco areas: the other Docg, that of Asolo, and the Prosecco Doc. Always with excellent results.
There are eighty hectares of La Tordera, equally divided between the Prosecco DOC area, the Conegliano Valdobbiadene DOCG and the Asolo DOCG. Now in their fourth generation, for more than 100 they have been custodians of 100-year-old Glera vines, spectacular those of the lower Cartizze. Objects of admiration but also of study, they represent a source of pride for the entire territory.
How they arrived at such a venerable age is the most intriguing question of all. Certainly they are spectacular and worthy of the awe they inspire. When you are taken into the territory, customary is the ride on the Cartizze. The hill is on a great slope, the vines are hanging on the rock, and from there you have a breathtaking view of that seemingly endless succession of hills inhabited by vineyards. No wonder when you are taken up Cartizze you are taken to the top, you get out of breath from how beautiful it is. But of Cartizze there is also the low one. And I still had never visited the low one.
I got acquainted with century-old vines in the company of Paolo Vettoretti, and I am increasingly convinced that this area is special, more so than many others.
“We were born in the land and we are still farmers.”
Pietro (now +80) and Mirella Vettoretti with this phrase in mind founded the company, which today is led by their sons Paolo and Renato. Concreteness, solidity and many small steps… these are not my words, but those with which they describe themselves in the first person and with which they tell their journey. For that is precisely what it seems to be about. A path, lasting a longer or shorter time on earth, made up of listening and living symbiotically with it.
It all started from that Cartizze and that small vineyard purchased in 1918 by Peter’s grandfather. A piece of land that, after the war, by a happy intuition (in a really sad period) was dedicated only to grape plants. Laying, more or less consciously, the foundation for the secret of the longevity of these plants. Today the family motto remains. try, progress and produce. Always looking ahead, aware of one’s treasure to be treasured.
La Tordera, Prosecco at 360 degrees
Prosecco from the Vettoretti family is conceived in all its forms. The Doc one, as well as the Docg one on both the left and the right of the Piave River. A relationship with the Glera definitely intense theirs, so much so that they turned their work into a passion.
My tastings focused on the denomination of the Prosecco Superiore Conegliano Valdobbiadene (just Valdobbiadene for them), the one to the left of Piave, son of the territory whose hills became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2019. Glera reigns supreme with cultivation systems ranging from espalier to pergolas. Vineyard management is intelligent and respectful, not disdaining some reasoned weeding where necessary. The secret lies in diversification, going to draw from different vineyards and Rive.
We take care not only of the plants and landscape but also and especially of the soils. Soils that over the years have struggled, become depleted and now need to come back to life and accommodate as much life as possible. Targeted tillage and fertilization where necessary.
Among the company’s production, Cartizze is certainly a certainty (pardon the alliteration), but what caught my attention was Otreval. I immediately appreciated its great balance. It may seem trivial, but it is unmetered because you don’t need (on the label extra brut for obvious reasons). From Glera grapes and other minor varieties harvested at perfect ripeness. It has a slightly higher alcohol content, 12% vol. reads the label, which also provides some other interesting facts: 68 kcal per 100 ml, 76 mg/l SO2 tot. Very pleasant drinking, officially my new favorite Valdobbiadene.
The modernity of Prosecco
Whether you like it or drink it or not, that is not the point. The point is that, from an objective analysis, we can’t all disagree that this is Among the most modern and contemporary wines ever. Low grade, fragrant in aroma, bubbly, zero sugar and, hear hear, low cal (reaches a maximum of 73 calories in Cartizze Dry).
For me, the modern wine and for the new generation of consumers that so many are seeking has always existed and is called Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore.
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