|  |  | |  | |  | |  | |  | | | | | | | | | | |  | | | | | Perlage | Country: Italy
Region: Veneto
Size: 90 hectares
Producer: Ivo and Claudio Nardi
Organic Since: 1995 | |  |
| Background
The agricultural history of the Nardi family goes back to the early 20th century, when Giordano Nardi established an "Azienda Agricola" of vineyards, arable land and cattle breeding.
In 1985 Ivo (1957) and Claudio (born 1961) founded Perlage S.R.L, which went on to be the first winery in Italy to make organic Spumante (sparkling white wine).
Currently Ivo is the president and sales manager and Claudio is responsible for the production of the wines.
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| The estate
Today Perlage owns 50 acres of organic vineyards and buys in grapes from other organic and bio-dynamic producers who cultivate a further 148 acres.
Perlage exports 85% of its production to other European countries (mainly the UK, Germany, Holland and Finland) and countries outside Europe, (Japan, USA, Brasil).
For the future there are plans to develop their market in Canada and possibly markets in the Far East.
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| Organic philosophy
As a result of his experience of spraying vines, Ivo felt that his own health and that of the environment were being damaged by the chemical products he was using to counteract disease. He began to study other, more natural, viticultural methods, and experimented with non-systemic products. He also encountered others in the trade who were experiencing similar problems, some of whom were further on the way to conversion to organic principles. He became one of the pioneering members of the "Associazione Suolo e Salute" (Soil and Health), one of the first organisations dedicated to the development and regulation of organic farming. He is still an enthusiastic member and supporter.
In 1981 the vineyards were officially reconverted to organic cultivation, and vinification also took place under organic regulation. Ivo Nardi remembers:
Our first organic vinification really was a disaster - we made a tank of very special vinegar. But we were highly motivated and decided to keep at it
Like many others in the wine business, the Perlage team feel that investment in modern wine-making equipment is essential for the production of clean, consistent and fruit-driven wines. They represent the more commercially minded end of the organic wine business, combining efficiency, investment and planning with a deeply held commitment to the philosophy and sheer hard work of 'traditional' organic viticulture.
Walking in an organic vineyard you can feel your senses awakening - smelling the intense perfume of flowers or even just cut grass, hearing the frenetic buzzing of hundreds of insects, watching the shining colours of delicate butterflies and tasting the sweet juice of the mature grapes - a truly living environment.
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| Products at Vinceremos
Solatio Rosso, Merlot 'Terra Viva', Merlot del Veneto, Cabernet del Veneto, Corte del Giano.
Terre di Chieti, Chardonnay del Veneto, Chardonnay, Pinot Grigio, Tiziano Barrique.
Prosecco Frizzante 'Soro Loc', Rosato Frizzante 'Altana', Prosecco Frizzante 'Bacaro', Prosecco Frizzante 'Piccolo' (20cl), Prosecco Spumante 'Canah', Biodynamic Prosecco Spumante 'Col di Manza' |
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 | Prosecco Frizzante 'Sora Loc', Perlage IGT (Italy)
£7.60
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 | Trio Trocken, Stefan Sander 2011
£8.10
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 | Château de Boisfranc AC (Beaujolais) 2009
£8.60
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 | Inzolia, Era IGT 2010/11
£7.10
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 | Sangiovese, Era IGT 2010
£7.10
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