ヴィーノ ダ セーテ｜モンテ ダッローラが贈る注目の自然派フリッツァンテ

This article provides a detailed review and guide to a natural, lightly sparkling white wine produced by a small organic estate located in the Valpolicella district. The winery is situated in the hills of San Giorgio near Santambrogio, at approximately 500 meters above sea level, where the cool climate and high elevation produce grapes with vibrant acidity and clean fruit expression. The estate is committed to minimal intervention winemaking, using only wild yeasts for fermentation and avoiding unnecessary additives throughout the process.

The wine is crafted primarily from a historic white grape variety native to the northeastern part of the country, along with a small proportion of another traditional variety. This indigenous grape has been cultivated in the region since approximately the year 1000, according to historical records cited in agricultural texts from the late fifteenth century. It is widely recognized as the principal variety behind the famous Soave appellation and is known for producing wines with aromas of white flowers, apricot, citrus fruits, and golden delicious apple when vinified without oak aging.

The winemaking process is distinctive and deeply rooted in local tradition. After the initial wild yeast fermentation, the wine is transferred to stainless steel tanks placed outdoors during winter. The cold ambient temperatures naturally maintain low cellar conditions without the need for artificial refrigeration, allowing the wine to rest for approximately five months. When spring arrives and bottling begins, unfermented juice from dried grapes — traditionally used for the region’s famous sweet wines — is added to the bottles. This juice provides both sugar and yeast to initiate a secondary fermentation inside the bottle, which creates the gentle, fine bubbles characteristic of frizzante-style wines.

The resulting wine displays a pale straw-yellow color and offers a refreshing drinking experience. According to the producer’s notes, it features fresh herbal nuances, crisp acidity, and clean fruit flavors that make it an easy-drinking, thirst-quenching wine. The name itself translates to wine for thirst, echoing the French concept of vin de soif — wines designed for casual, effortless enjoyment rather than intense contemplation.

In terms of food pairing, this style of lightly sparkling white is versatile enough to accompany a wide range of dishes. Seafood preparations such as carpaccio, raw oysters, and fish stews are natural companions. Fresh salads with herbs, light fried dishes like tempura, and even Southeast Asian cuisine with its bright flavors and aromatic herbs can work well alongside the wine’s herbal and citrus character. It also makes an excellent aperitif on its own.

The wine is imported to Japan by a well-regarded specialist importer known for curating a portfolio of artisanal and natural wines from across Europe. It is available through an Italian wine specialty retailer on one of Japan’s major online shopping platforms. The shop offers free shipping when six or more bottles are purchased together. Given the wine’s sensitivity to temperature fluctuations, chilled delivery is recommended during warmer months.

For those interested in exploring natural wines from northeastern regions, this bottling represents an accessible and characterful introduction. It combines centuries-old grape-growing traditions with a modern natural winemaking philosophy, resulting in a wine that is both historically grounded and refreshingly contemporary in its appeal. The unique use of dried grape must for secondary fermentation adds a layer of cultural significance, connecting this simple frizzante to the broader tradition of passito and sweet wine production that has defined the area for generations.