Calcaia Muffa Nobile Barberani

On autumn mornings a thick fog envelops the vineyards of Orvieto Classico. The grapes, in this particular microclimate, are gradually attacked by a particular mold, "Botrytis Cinerea" which, if particular weather conditions occur, turns into "Molda Nobile". Morning humidity alternating with a mild and breezy afternoon climate is the sine qua non for this magic to manifest. Such Mold feeds, from the outside, on the liquid content of the fruit where it takes root, dehydrates the berry, concentrating its sugars and acidity. In this way, "Botrytis Cinerea" enhances the organoleptic complexity of the wine, giving it unique and unmistakable aromatic and taste notes. For harvesting, at least five or six successive vintages are necessary, repeated at different times, distributed between October and December, in order to collect only the fruits that have taken root from the "Molda Nobile" and leave those not yet ready on the plant from time to time. The musts obtained are particularly dense, rich and fragrant. Subsequent fermentation takes place slowly and steadily over an extended period and stops naturally. The first vintage produced was 1986, but actually experimentation on this very special Molda was already born in the late 1970s, thanks to the research and passion of Luigi Barberani.