Wines from international varieties

The phylloxera epidemic that broke out in France in the late 19th century, devastating the vineyards there, eventually spread into the Veneto as well and caused the almost complete disappearance of many of the varieties that had grown there since antiquity. The situation worsened with the outbreak of the First World War, since the subsequent economic devastation necessitated the introduction of grape varieties from other parts of Italy and Europe, such as Sauvignon blanc, Riesling italico, Chardonnay, Pinot blanc, Merlot, Cabernet sauvignon, Cabernet franc, Carmenère, and Pinot noir.
These varieties adapted extremely well to their new home and, even more fortunately, complemented the native grapes. Red-wine varieties such as Cabernet sauvignon, Cabernet franc, and Merlot, when grown in the vineyards of the Marca Trevigiana, showed themselves particularly suitable for yielding fine, age-worthy reds, and this region is regarded today as Italy’s hallmark area for Bordeaux-style reds.
The Collalto vineyards are located in large measure on favourable sites in the hills nearest Susegana or on level, gravelly-clay stretches bordering the river Piave. These vineyards receive generous amounts of sunlight, bringing good ripeness levels to the fruit, but without the over-ripening that can dull the clean, crisp aromas of the grapes themselves, a crucial element that Collalto labours hard to preserve through every stage in the winemaking.

Aromatic focus, structural elegance, and varietal faithfulness are the classic qualities displayed by Collalto’s wines from the international grapes.