La Costa Solesta

In Brianza which, after the phylloxera devastation, had abandoned viticulture in favour of sericulture to produce silk or, more often, industrialisation, there is now a winery like La Costa, which has given new life to an apparently lost Lombard tradition. Among ancient terracing and new vineyards, the Crippa family has had the merit of giving new lustre to these magnificent soils which are beautifully exposed and blessed by the Lake Como breezes.

The project, now twenty years old, is located within the Regional Park of Montevecchia, a land that, for the Lombards of the nineteenth century, meant quality wine. The landscapes are of great naturalistic value, the terraced vineyards (these are the "ronchi" of the Curone Valley) and with steep slopes, the important diurnal temperature differences, which give the wines elegance, freshness and sapidity. Also, of course, the calcareous soils, rich in minerals and skeleton.

The few autochthonous vines have never been extinct, the company meritoriously focuses on the most suitable international ones. Riesling and Syrah at the forefront, with a rich and mature Solesta and a silky and beautiful Serìz respectively. And then also Pinot Noir and Merlot. The style? Finesse and detail, grace and fragrance.

Single-variety Rhine Riesling, Solesta is a beautiful quite deep straw-yellow colour. It certainly represents a mature and complex interpretation of the vine, of great aromatic finesse but without giving up a touch of intensity and structure. On the nose it expresses floral and fruity scents, with tropical scents and mineral tones veering towards flint, thanks also to a year's aging in 20 hl acacia vats. On the palate it is ample, fresh and mineral, sapid but always balanced thanks to its aromaticity, good softness and persistence. Long lasting and to be appreciated even over time, it pairs well with fish dishes, and should be tried with Catalan style prawns. Not to be excluded is an enjoyable taste experience with white meat or pork first and second courses.