Merotto Space, the wine home of Graziano Merotto

Last September, Merotto Space opened in the heart of Conegliano Valdobbiadene, in Col San Martino in the province of Treviso.

The Merotto estate was founded in 1972 and produced sparkling wines “col fondo” (with sediments). It was only the following year that founder Graziano Merotto first began experimenting with the Martinotti-Charmat Method. Those who know him personally agree he is a modest, simple and sensitive man of few words. And I can confirm that these qualities are evident when you first meet him. I met him at the inauguration of his new space for wine open to the public, where it is now possible to taste and acquire Merotto products as well as have a guided tour of the winery.

This was a wise move by Merotto who has demonstrated an acute awareness towards the territory and the need to create wine tourism “attractions”. The Conegliano Valdobbiadene hills were recently declared a UNESCO World Heritage site, the 55th in Italy, and now they are ready for wine lovers from the world over to discover this territory and the territory is organizing to welcome them. Merotto Space is a clear example of this being strategically located in a restored farm house where, aside from the wines, the attractions are the surrounding vineyards and the hilly landscape. The Col San Martino vineyards on the slopes are magnificently framed by an immense picture window in the upper lounge offering a #ProseccoExperience of 360° (or almost).

And it was here, looking out over the Glera grapes, that Merotto played his trump card offering the first vertical tasting (only even years) of his Cuvée del Fondatore that is named after him and was conceive in 2009 together with the estate enologist Mark Merotto. This Prosecco Superiore DOCG is 100% made from Glera grapes and every year some 20% of the vine shoot undergo DMR, doppia maturazione ragionata (double rationalized maturation).

A brief aside… DMR: 20 days before the harvest some 20% of the vine shoots are pruned. This way the plant continues to nourish the bunches still on the vine while the others are left to dry while maintaining their vibrant acidity and freshness.

The winemaking process involves a single fermentation. The wine is made in an autoclave where the must, slowly and at a low temperature, becomes a sparkling wine with a fine and elegant effervescence, creamy in the mouth and fragrant to the nose with a nice intensity.

The secret to the mix of complexity and freshness in this product is the result of work done in the vineyard, DMR, and precise winemaking decisions: using oxygen on the must to diminish the greener and drier tannins, and a slow and long fermentation (12° for six months) sur lie or on the lees to embellish the wine.

The result is unique, a Prosecco with unexpected characteristics but that still maintains all the everyday ones of this wine. And since Prosecco vertical tastings are more unique than rare (for now), to stimulate your imagination and your thirst (of knowledge, obviously) here are our reviews of the vintages tasted of Cuvée del Fondatore Graziano Merotto Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore.

Keep in mind that it is practically impossible to find the vintages before 2018 retail.

Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore Cuvée del Fondatore Graziano Merotto 2018

92/100 - € 16,00

Made from Glera grapes and fermented on the lees for six months in autoclaves. The latest vintage available. A taut aroma, typically floral with a scent of white peach followed by one of almond that also returns in the mouth during the taut and bitter finish. The fresh and salty mouthfeel is a pleasure to drink and made vibrant by a citrus sensation and embellished by a creamy effervescence.

Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore Cuvée del Fondatore Graziano Merotto 2016

89/100 - € 16,00

Made from Glera grapes and fermented on the lees for six months in autoclaves. Light notes of tropical fruit and white melon The aroma is very taut, even too much so. For me this was not the best version but I will taste it again.
 

Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore Cuvée del Fondatore Graziano Merotto 2014

90/100 - € 16,00

Made from Glera grapes and fermented on the lees for six months in autoclaves. As always, this year brought many surprises. The almond is back and the aroma recalls barley syrup. With breathing emerge sensations of honey and beeswax. And yet the wine is still persistent, tenacious and lively in the mouth.
 

Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore Cuvée del Fondatore Graziano Merotto 2012

91/100 - € 16,00

Made from Glera grapes and fermented on the lees for six months in autoclaves. A product that strikes a great balance between Prosecco’s original characteristics, easy to drink and fresh, with that of being able to age in the bottle. Elegant, even vertical and taut, sapid with a more evolved aroma of raisins.
 

Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore Cuvée del Fondatore Graziano Merotto 2010

89/100 - € 16,00

Made from Glera grapes and fermented on the lees for six months in autoclaves. For me the aroma of this vintage was of spice, sweet spice. It is still perfectly drinkable and pleasing and contradicts those who say Prosecco cannot age!

But that’s not all. Aside from the Cuvée del Fondatore, Graziano Merotto produces many other and different Prosecco that today are easier to find.

Info: Merotto Space, Piazza Rovere 16, 30010 Col San Martino (TV) wineshop@merotto.it

Opening hours: monday - friday 9.30-12.30/14.30-18.30, saturday 9.00-18.00.

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