As part of the 2014 Digitul Wine Communications Conference in Montreux, Switzerland, I explored the wines of Ticino during a post-conference press trip. This posting - Touring (and Tasting the Wines of) Vini e Distillati Angelo Delea SA, with David Delea, Switzerland - is the sixth in a series of postings (see below) emanating from my visit of Ticino.
See also:
Exploring the Wines of Ticino in Ticino, the Italian Speaking Part of Switzerland
Touring (and Tasting the Wines of) Brivio Vini SA and Gialdi Vini SA in Mendrisio, Ticono, with Guido Brivio, Switzerland
Polenta and Ticino Wine at Grotto Bundi in Ticino, Switzerland
Visiting Cantina Kopp von der Crone Visini and Tasting with Barbara von der Crone and Paolo Visini in Barbengo, Ticino, Switzerland
Visiting (and Tasting the Wines of) Tamborini SA and Lunch with Valentina Tamborini, Ticino, Switzerland
Touring and Tasting the Wines of Vini e Distillati Angelo Delea SA, with David Delea, Switzerland
Touring an Tasting the Wines of Agriloro SA and Diner with Owner Meinrad Perler, Switzerland
Touring and Tasting the Wines of Vinattieri Ticinesi, Switzerland
Lunch at Ristorante Montalbano in Stabio, Switzerland
Vini e Distillati Angelo Delea SA is a large grower/negociant wine producer. In addition, Vini e Distillati Angelo Delea SA is also a wine importer and retailer. Vini e Distillati is also a major grappa and other brandies producer as well as balsamic vinegar produer. Finally, the Ristorante Bottega del Vino in Locarno, the Bottega del Vino in Ascona and the Fattoria l’Amorosa Hotel and Restaurant in Gudo are also part of the Delea empire.
We were received by David Delea and greeted by founder Angelo Delea.
Vini e Distillati Angelo Delea SA
Angelo Delea started his career as a restaurant owner. His love for wine made him become a sommelier before he started to make wine, initially for his own consumption only. In 1983, he founded Vini e Distillati Angelo Delea SA. Today Vini e Distillati is one of the largest and best known winemakers in Ticino.
Vini e Distillati Angelo Delea SA owns 23 hectares of land and buys grapes from other producers, equaling about 30 hectares of land. Total output is 70.000 cases.
The Fattoria ll’Amorosa in Gudo includes 4 hectares planted with Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon. It also includes a small hotel, a restaurant and a wine shop.
The Castello di Cantone in Rancate at the foot of the Monte San Giorgio consists of 6 hectares planted with Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Syrah, Chardonnay, Sauvignon and Semillon.
The Tenuta Paleari in Quartino is the most recent investment of the Delea family, with 8 hectares planted with Merlot, Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Sauvignon.
Next to the Tenuta Paleari is the Cavigliano vineyard (1 hectare) with Chardonnay only.
In addition to producing a wide range of wines, Vini e Distillati Angelo Delea SA is also an important producer of grappa and other brandies as well as balsamic vinegar. Finally, the Ristorante Bottega del Vino in Locarno, the Bottega del Vino in Ascona and the Fattoria l’Amorosa Hotel and Restaurant in Gudo are also part of the Delea empire.
Tour and Tasting with David Delea
We were received in a large modern building. David Delea told us that the facility was constructed in 1993 and doubled in size in 2003. It was quite impressive what we saw: a wine store, a balsamic vinegar production facility, a grappa and other brandy production facility, a large wine cellar, including 800 barrique barrels and an impressive wine museum.
Balsamic Vinegar
We started in the room where Vini e Distillati Angelo Delea SA makes its traditional balsamic vinegar. David gave us a short introduction: balsamic vinegar is produced by cooking the juice from the pressed grapes for hours until a brown, syrupy liquid with concentrated flavors ( approximately 30% of the original volume). The flavor intensifies over the years, with the vinegar being aged in wooden casks, becoming sweet, viscous and very concentrated. During this period, a portion evaporates. The barrels are topped up according to the Solera System: The oldest cooked must is topped up with the must from the previous year and the must from the previous year is topped up with the must from the year before and so on. The barrels are made of different types of wood, such as cherry, chestnut, oak, mulberry, and ash and they each hold different capacities, becoming smaller with the aging process.
The end result is a very sweet, thick, rich and complex vinegar. Vini e Distillati Angelo Delea SA sells balsamic vinegar that is 2, 7, 12 and 17 years old.
Grappa and other Brandies
With a production of 20.000 liters, Vini e Distillati Angelo Delea SA is the most import producer of grappa and other brandies in Ticino.
Wine
David showed us the wine production facilities including a large barrel cellar.
Wine Museum
We also had a chance to spend some time in the Vini e Distillati Angelo Delea SA wine museum.
Tasting
Finally, we sat down in the impressive barrel cellar for a wine tasting.
2011 Noir Brut Spumante Bianco Ticinese DOC Franken 22
2012 Chiar di Luna Bianco di Merlot Ticino DOC Franken 15
2012 Chiar di Luna Bianco di Merlot Ticino DOC Zensa solfiti
2011 Carato Bianco del Ticino DOC Franken 28
2013 Nero di Luna Zensa Solfiti - Easy drinking wine
2011 San Carlo Merlot del Locarnese Ticino DOC Franken 21 - Merlot 92%, Cabernet Franc 8%, Vineyard San Carlo, vines planted in 1987, fermentation in stainless steel tanks, aged for 15 months in new oak barrels of 400 liters, 20,000 bottles
2010 Carato Merlot affinato in Barrique Ticino DOC Franken 32 - Merlot 100%
2010 Carato Riserva Merlot affinato in Barrique Ticino DOC Franken 55 - Merlot 100%, over twenty years, Montedato vineyard in the municipality of Lavertezzo, Long maceration of up to 30 days, aged for 24 months in new oak barrels of 400 liters, 7,000 bottles
We also had a chance to taste the balsamic vinegars.
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