Tenuta Ambrosini

As usual here at Xtrawine, we will be taking another look at a producer who perhaps does not quite have the reputation that is enjoyed by many of the larger and more renowned winemakers in the country, but is still more than capable of creating an absolutely stellar wine that has the ability to captivate taste buds and leave people wanting even more.

This week we will be looking at Tenuta Ambrosini, placing particular focus on the company’s dedication to producing amazing sparkling white wines that are capable of rivalling even the best of Proseccos. Without any further ado, let’s take a look at the brief history of Tenuta Ambrosini and what the company is doing to bring great wines to their customers.

The History

The team at Tenuta Ambrosini took the words of Mario Soldati to heart when they decided to start producing great wines. He said that wine is “the poetry of the earth,” which means that the many drinks that we consume every year are all closely tied to the land where they were produced. If you treat that land with the love and respect that it deserves, you will produce wines that are capable of captivating all who taste them. If you don’t, then you may find that the wines you make are a reflection of your treatment of the land.

Tenuta Ambrosini believes that the creation of a good wine is closely related to the uniqueness and beauty of the land where it is grown. Their wines are predominantly made in the DOCG area of Franciacorta, which is famous for its mild hills that make growing certain types of grape possible. As such, the wines produced by the company are intended to represent these mild hills, offering small peaks and troughs while also allowing the drinker to feel refreshed after consuming.

The company is convinced that through the proper use of the resources that are available to them, such as the climate, soil and the grape varieties that are known to grow well in the region, they can create a product that cannot be imitated anywhere else. Through the perfect harmony of the many natural factors we have already covered, plus the innovative techniques and methodologies that the company uses, some truly astounding wines can be created.

Tenuta Ambrosini’s aim, as it always is, is to create wines that offer a reflection of the natural elements of the area where it was created. The summer glow, the rarefied air during the winter, the amazing colours and so much more are all reflected in each and every bottle that the company produces.

Of course, nature can only do so much to create great wines. It is the actions of the producer and the many techniques that they use that turn the raw potential of grapes into the many classic wines that we enjoy.

This is an area where Tenuta Ambrosini has placed much of its focus, taking special care to treat their grapes properly from cultivation through to fermentation. Their systems ensure that proper tillage and pruning of the vines takes place, ensuring that grapes are gathered quickly and efficiently, while also ensuring that the vines themselves are protected so that they can continue producing more amazing grapes later on.

The company manually harvests grapes when they reach full maturity, making sure to carefully select the grapes that have developed fully and can offer the most to the wines that they make. While this results in a fairly low yield per vine, it does mean that the wines that are produced from the grapes that are selected are practically guaranteed to be of a very high quality.

The selected grapes are then taken away and gently pressed to extract their must, with particularly attention being paid to the refinement of yeast within the bottle. The company also makes sure that all of its products are maintained to a constant temperature of 15 degrees, ensuring adequate storage while they evolve into the wines that so many have already fallen on love with.

Furthermore, Tenuta Ambrosini has dedicated itself to reducing the environmental impact of its activities as much as possible, which is one of the reasons why they make use of a photovoltaic solar panel system to generate much of the electricity that is used in the vineyard.

Combine all of this with the research that the company carries out, which it claims is intended to bring both the scientific and the sensory together, and it is clear that Tenuta Ambrosini is aiming to grow, slowly but surely, by making use of sustainable techniques that result in the creation of some truly spectacular wines.

Tenuta Ambrosini Franciacorta Millesimato 2009

Being located in the mild hills of Franciacorta, is it no surprise that we would select a wine that bears the regions name, with this 2009 vintage being of exceptional quality.

This gorgeous sparkling white wine is at one intense and inviting, with the bright, golden yellow colouring drawing the drinker in and prompting them to examine the bottle in more detail.

When introduced to the nose, the bottle starts to slowly unfurl some of its more obvious notes and those with keen senses of smell should quickly sport notes of spice, crusty bread and fresh flowers amongst the intense aromas being emitted.

All of these and more will be tasted when the wine is eventually introduced to the palette. It is at once dry and startlingly persistent, not letting go of the drinker until they have consumed every last drop in the glass.

It is also a startlingly versatile wine, being capable of being served alongside a nice joint of beef, or with cheese, pasta and fish. It acts as an amazing palette cleanser that rarely clashes with foods, barring those that are exceptionally rich.

It makes for a truly great choice for those who are searching for a good bottle of sparkling white wine and want to stray away from the more popular choices, such as Champagne and Prosecco.