A blend of Nebbiolo and Pinot Nero, this vibrant sparkler has aromas of small red berry, grapefruit and chopped herb. The racy palate offers strawberry, raspberry, nectarine zest and a hint of fennel alongside tangy acidity. It finishes clean and crisp.\n \n Producer Information\n G.D. Vajra is an estate in the Barolo district of Piedmont, Northern Italy. It is known for the consistently high quality of its range, and in particular its red wines made from Nebbiolo, though other varieties (both red and white) are grown. The wines are often described as elegant and being somewhat Burgundian in style. The estate was established in the late 1960s when Aldo Vajra, then a teenager, began to farm the family vineyards. These had been in the family's possession since the 1920s, but had been mostly farmed by sharecroppers. The estate has around 40 hectares (100 acres) of vineyards, around a quarter of which are planted to Nebbiolo for Barolo wines. The plots are mostly made up of old vines on rocky, chalky soils in sites which ripen later than other crus, which contribute to G.D. Vajra's fresh, aromatic style. Winemaking techniques are broadly traditional with the top reds undergoing slow macerations and long aging in casks. For example, the flagship Barolo Bricco del Viole is fermented for 30 to 40 days, then matured for 42 to 48 months in large Slavonian oak casks. It is made from late-harvested fruit sourced from the vineyard of the same name. Vajra also makes a single-vineyard Barolo from the Ravera cru, which was introduced in 2010, and the Barolo Albe, which comes from three different vineyards. There is also a Langhe Nebbiolo made from young vines, and a Langhe Rosso which combines Nebbiolo with Dolcetto, Barbera, and small amounts of Albarossa, Freisa and Pinot Noir. The portfolio also includes a highly acclaimed Barbera d'Alba Superiore, the Dolcetto d'Alba Coste & Fossati. Freisa, a rare variety native to Piedmont, goes to make the Langhe Freisa Kyè from the San Ponzio vineyard in Barolo. A Langhe Bianco is made from Riesling, while the Rosabella Rosato is based on Nebbiolo. A high-quality sweet, fizzy Moscato d'Asti is also made. G.D. Vajra also makes the Luigi Baudana range, having acquired that winemaker's vineyards in 2009.
