Exploring the Character of Cincinnato's Bellone: A Vertical Tasting of Kori Metodo Classico and Enyo

Posted by Rowena Dumlao Rowena Dumlao - Giardina 7/25/2024

Exploring the Character of Cincinnato's Bellone: A Vertical Tasting of Kori Metodo Classico and Enyo

On June 13, 1947, ten visionary farmers: Agnoni Cesare, Pistilli Armando, Gattamelata Natale, Moroni Fernando, Ceracchi Carlo, Cappella Tommaso, Palombelli Natale, Chiominto Luigi, Agnoni Tommaso, and Macellari Emilio, came together to form a cooperative winery. They planted the seeds of what would become a thriving venture. Today, 77 years later, their modest cooperative has blossomed into Cincinnato, a renowned winery with 100 members, celebrated for its dedication to quality and its deep roots in the local community.

Cincinnato's journey from its humble beginnings to becoming a prominent figure in Lazio's wine industry is a testament to the cooperative's commitment to quality and tradition. Named in honor of Lucius Quinzio Cincinnato, a Roman statesman known for his service and subsequent return to farming, the winery embodies the spirit of dedication and humility. The cooperative's mission has always been to revive and celebrate the native grape varieties of the region, with a particular focus on the Nero Buono and Bellone grapes. These varieties, lesser-known outside Italy, have found a niche in Cincinnato, which has dedicated extensive resources to their cultivation and promotion.

A significant milestone in Cincinnato's history was the construction of a state-of-the-art winery in 1979, which allowed for the modernization of production techniques and an increase in capacity. In 2001, the cooperative embarked on a quality project to further enhance the value and recognition of its wines. This initiative not only focused on improving vineyard management and winemaking processes but also on the ampelographic recovery of ancient native grape varieties. Today, Cincinnato is recognized for producing a diverse range of wines, from crisp, aromatic whites to rich, complex reds. The winery's commitment to sustainability is evident in its organic vineyard management practices and its use of a photovoltaic system to achieve energy self-sufficiency.

Cincinnato's wines are not only a reflection of the unique terroir of the Cori hills, where volcanic soils impart distinct mineral qualities, but also a celebration of the region's rich history and culture. The cooperative's dedication to quality and sustainability has earned it numerous accolades and a loyal following both in Italy and abroad. In recent years, Cincinnato has expanded its offerings to include an organic line of wines, as well as a selection of Classic Method sparkling wines. The winery's recent introduction of the "Bombo" range, aimed at younger consumers, showcases the Bellone and Nero Buono grapes in a fresh, modern style, appealing to new generations while staying true to its roots.

The Vertical Tasting of Bellone: Exploring Cincinnato's Enyo and Korì Wines

Cincinnato winery recently showcased the versatility of the native Bellone grape through a vertical tasting event, highlighting two distinctive vinifications: Enyo Cori Doc Bellone and Korì Metodo Classico Brut Millesimato. The tasting, moderated by journalist Fabio Turchetti, presented six vintages of both Korì and Enyo, illustrating the evolution of these wines from 2015 onward. Korì, a sparkling wine, demonstrated a consistent elegance and a shift towards minimal liqueur dosage, allowing the natural aromatic herb notes and acidity of Bellone to shine. In contrast, Enyo, the still version, showcased a journey from complex winemaking techniques like malolactic fermentation, skin maceration and lees aging to a focus on enhancing softness and acidity, reflecting the adaptability and depth of the Bellone grape.

This event underscored the growing interest in Bellone, with an 11% increase in regional plantings and a significant rise in sparkling wine production. The tasting highlighted the potential of Bellone in both still and sparkling forms, with Cincinnato's innovative approach offering a promising future for this native varietal. The winery's president, Nazzareno Mìlita, expressed pride in the achievements so far, while marketing manager Giovanna Trisorio emphasized the importance of such events in establishing Bellone's future potential and expressive capacity in the wine industry.

Kori Bellone Metodo Classico 2015 to 2020

Korì, made from 100% Bellone grapes, undergoes a vinification of of second fermentation following the Metodo Classico method. The grapes are hand-harvested and placed whole into a press, where a gentle pressing cycle extracts only the free-run must, yielding 50%. Fermentation occurs in stainless steel tanks at a controlled temperature of 15°C. In the spring, the wine is bottled for the second fermentation, and then ages on the lees for at least 36 months. However, the vintages in the vertical tasting were disgorged after 48 to 72 months. This process enhances the wine's complexity and refinement, creating a sparkling wine with rich flavors and a delicate effervescence. It offers great approachability with a crisp, refreshing character that's delightful on both the palate and the nose.

Kori Bellone Metodo Classico 2015
After 48 months of disgorgement and five years aging in the bottle, this vintage has reached its peak maturity. The nose and palate are rich with concentration and density, showcasing mature yellow stone fruits and a prominent note of ripe pineapple in syrup. A creamy, unctuous texture enhances the overall experience.

Kori Bellone Metodo Classico 2016
Disgorged in 2022, this wine presents a leaner profile compared to the 2015 vintage. The palate features less pronounced notes of pineapple in syrup, but it compensates with vibrant acidity and complexity that shines through.

Kori Bellone Metodo Classico 2017
Harvested slightly earlier and disgorged in May 2023, this vintage reveals a complex bouquet of minerals and fruits. The palate is marked by elegance and balance, with a notably long acidity that concludes with a pleasant hint of bitterness.

Kori Bellone Metodo Classico 2018
A challenging vintage due to downy mildew, disgorged in December 2023. The nose is inviting, revealing a broad spectrum of white floral and crisp fruit aromas, complemented by a subtle mineral touch. These elements are echoed on the palate, which finishes with a satisfying bitterness.

Kori Bellone Metodo Classico 2019
Disgorged in January 2024, this wine opens with fresh, crisp fruits leaning towards yellow pulp and white flowers, accompanied by a delicate line of creaminess. The palate is well-balanced, displaying a harmonious blend of sapidity, freshness, and a light bitterness at the finish.

Kori Bellone Metodo Classico 2020
Disgorged in March 2024, this vintage showcases more pronounced varietal characteristics than its predecessors, with a fruit-forward profile and floral hints. On the palate, it offers a pleasant blend of delicate creaminess and roundness, making it a compelling experience.

Enyo Cori Bellone DOC

The vines, over 30 years old, are cultivated at elevations of 200–300 meters above sea level on volcanic soil rich in ash, making it sandy, water-permeable, and abundant in minerals like potassium. The Mediterranean climate, with its rainy winters and dry summers, supports excellent harvests in late September, ensuring meticulous berry selection. Vinification begins with destemming and gentle crushing, followed by cold fermentation at 15°C for 12 days. The wine then spends three months on fine lees, undergoes malolactic fermentation, and matures in steel tanks for one year. Enyo shines with golden yellow reflections and a bouquet of wild flowers and exotic fruits, delivering a burst of refreshing brightness on the palate. The finish is soft and enveloping, with a distinct mineral trail that reflects the unique potassium and phosphorus-rich terroir of Cori.

Enyo Cori Bellone DOC 2017
Presents aromas of ripe tropical fruits and yellow stone fruits in syrup. On the palate, it has a subtle vibrance with hints of sapidity and a light acidity.

Enyo Cori Bellone DOC 2018
The nose of this wine reveals distinct woody notes, complemented by hints of eucalyptus and lemon rind. On the palate, it offers refreshing acidity, a nutty character, and flavors of mature, round fruits.

Enyo Cori Bellone DOC 2019
This vintage boasts a very good olfactory profile, highlighted by mineral notes and crisp yellow stone fruits. It is harmonious on the palate, with well-balanced acidity and a mineral undertone. The wine concludes with a long, satisfying finish.

Enyo Cori Bellone DOC 2020
The nose is particularly intriguing with notes of mint, brioche, and yellow pulp. The palate features marked acidity, which is well-balanced, lending an elegant profile. The finish concludes with a pleasant touch of bitterness.

Enyo Cori Bellone DOC 2021
This vintage underwent complete malolactic fermentation, resulting in a nose that reveals perceptible notes of chamomile and stony minerality. On the palate, it presents a warm and well-balanced profile, with subdued acidity and a light, pleasant bitterness.

Enyo Cori Bellone DOC 2022
The olfactory profile of this vintage is markedly different from previous ones, featuring highly perceptible notes of tomato leaves, alongside floral and fresh fruity aromas. On the palate, it offers a pleasing experience with balanced acidity, mirroring the floral and fruity notes found on the nose and the finish is has long persistence.