The Trentino area is no stranger to grape growing and winemaking, with vineyards dating back to the 1600s. At the turn of the 20th century in 1904, a handful of farmers from Trentino decided to embrace the newly introduced cooperative system in order to remain competitive in their grape selling, and thus Mezzacorona was born. At the time, Mezzacorona Group was comprised of 13 farming families. Today, the group is made up of an impressive 1,600 farming families, accounting for 2,800 hectares of vineyards, and is one of the most successful and influential wine cooperatives to come out of Italy.
The Rotari winery is Mezzacorona Group’s crown jewel, being one of the most important structures in Italy for the production of sparkling wine using the Metodo classico, which is the same as méthode champenoise (champagne method). The name Rotari derives from the historic Lombard King Rotari, who fought one of the most important battles along the valley of the Trentino territory in his conquest of Italy. He also made history with his famous “Edict of Rotari,” a book about the rules of winemaking. Rotari was King of the Lombards from 636 to 652 and established a dukedom in Trento.
Rotari is home to some of the best Metodo Classico in Italy, as well as one of the largest producers of Metodo Classico in Italy. The wine cellar is modern, perfectly in synthesis with its surrounding natural environment, having been built in homage to the original area. The building itself reflects and respects its surrounding land, and the roof of the cellar has a wave shape that echoes the shape of the vineyards. Refreshing winds, a mountain-mediterranean climate, influences of the mountains in the North and Lake Garda in the South and a wide temperature range all lead to an environment particularly suited to the cultivation of the grapes which are at the base of Rotari: Chardonnay and Pinot Nero.
Generations of families have operated in respect of the environment with sustainable processing techniques, cultivating their vineyards with integrated production systems, guaranteeing increasingly natural products. Rotari’s commitment to environmental sustainability starts with the grape growers, who are committed to preserving biodiversity and playing an active role in improving the quality of the natural resources of the territory. This sustainable mindset is carried out until the end of the production process, with their commitment to environmental sustainability constantly growing. They hold a number of certifications for their sustainable, organic, and biodynamic farming including the SQNPI, VIVA, Equalitas, and Demeter.
Rotari wines are the result of the utmost attention to the specific characteristics of the vines and varieties. They produce wines with a unique and authentic character, like the territory in which they were produced.
The Wines
NV Rotari Riserva Brut Italian Sparkling
92 pts – Huon Hooke (The Real Review): Bright medium-light yellow colour; in good condition at its age. Floral and lightly toasty bouquet, palate dry and savoury with good length and amplitude. There is some good aged character here as well as vitality.
NV Rotari Brut Gran Riserva Rosé Italian Sparkling
95 pts – Drinks Trade Magazine: Pale pink – solid, fresh, long, solid line. Lots of fun there, power length. Very good…. Great colour, pink with sweet fruit nose, oak complexity, delicate bitterness carries flavour long.
93 pts – Huon Hooke (The Real Review): Youthful bright mid-yellow colour with a vigorous mousse, the bouquet showing good primary characters of stone fruits and flowers, as well as bread crust and croissant secondary aromas, and tinges of pastry-shop. It’s rich and full in the mouth, with concentration and amplitude, the finish dry but not austere, rolling long through the finish.
