A Sense of History and Place
Lucio Mosole’s wines could be a dictionary definition of what it means to have a sense of place. Located in the Lison-Pramaggiore DOC just 50 kilometres from the famed water city of Venice, the farmstead that houses the Mosole estate sits in a unique microclimate that has been forming for hundreds of years to provide what Lucio believes is the perfect equilibrium in his wines.
The soil, formed from several ancient floods, is rich with minerals and composed of a thin layer of “caranto” (calcium carbonate) and a more substantial layer of clay. The clay and calcareous mix gives strength to the vines and enhances the mineral expression in the grapes. Due to the proximity of the sea and many lagoons, the climate is temperate, allowing for a long and even growing season resulting in excellent phenolics and balance in the fruit. The broad plains on which the vineyards sit expose them to the winds: the “Bora”, a cool, dry wind, from the northeast and the “Scirocco”, a warmer wind from the southeast. The presence of these constant winds, mainly in the evenings, lowers the temperatures at night, ensuring a significant diurnal swing that helps develop excellent structure in the wines.
In this unique terroir, Lucio grows grapes that are indigenous to the region, grapes that have been infused with their specific qualities for generations. Along with Pinot Grigio, which reveals a distinctive fresh and mineral character, Lucio focuses on varietals like Tai, a grape whose oldest established production zone is in Lison-Pramaggiore and Refosco, whose origins date back to the Roman era. With these deep roots, it is no wonder the wines of Mosole have such unique character, a reflection of history and place and of a winemaker with an understanding of and respect for both.
Mosole 2020 Pinot Grigio, DOC Venezia
Retail: $20.95 / btl
Mosole 2020 TAI, IGT Veneto Orientale
Retail: $22.95 / btl (6 btl/cs)
Mosole 2019 Refosco, DOC Venezia
Retail: $24.95 / btl (6 btl/cs)
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The Wines
Mosole 2020 Pinot Grigio, DOC Venezia
This is a brilliant, pale straw white with a slight amber reflection. Crisp aromas of pear, peach, blanched almond and mineral lift on the nose, with additional notes of melon and light citrus on the palate. This is a refreshing, charming Pinot Grigio that pairs with many different foods.
Mosole 2020 TAI, IGT Veneto Orientale
Formerly known as Tocai Friulano, this intriguing wine is straw yellow in the glass and has a generous nose with white fleshed fruit, green almond and floral notes. On the palate the wine has presence with ripe fruit and a creamy texture from lees aging.
Mosole 2019 Refosco, DOC Venezia
It has been said that Refosco is one of Italy’s greatest and least understood red varietals. In Mosole’s hands it is wine that is mysterious and intriguing with aromas of raspberries and wild blackberries. On the palate there is more fresh fruit anchored by a tight structure dominated by strong tannins.
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About Mosole
Mosole presents a masterclass on typicity and varietally correct wines. Located in the Lison-Pramaggiore DOC, this is a unique region in that it comprises a significant proportion of the eastern Veneto – but straddles Friuli, too – and whose wine production predates Roman times. Tenuta Mosole’s 30 hectares of vines grow on calcium-rich clay, where, over the years, the changing courses of the rivers Livenza and Tagliamento have left behind old calcareous beds that contribute aromatic compounds and minerality to the wines. The estate is on the Venetian side of the region, just a stone’s throw west of the border with Friuli, located about 40 minutes northeast of Venice. Honouring the history of this territory, each Mosole wine features a local landmark from Venice and the surrounding area.
Lucio Mosole has revolutionized the wine-making process on his family estate, purchased in 1986, to achieve ever-higher standards using modern methods and a fresh approach to viticulture. Since 1992, almost the entire vineyard has been converted to Guyot vine-training. Progress is a byword for Lucio – he sees an opportunity for improvement in every aspect of the estate’s wine-making, from re-trellising old vines to acquiring the best barriques possible for aging his premium wines. To maintain purity, fermentation of aromatic varietals takes place in traditional glazed concrete tanks, while reserve wines are aged in a new cellar with space for 500 French oak barriques. Lucio works with the highly regarded consulting enologist, Gianni Menotti, famous for his work at Villa Russiz.
Typical of the region, Lucio grows a wide variety of grapes on his estate, including Pinot Grigio, Chardonnay, Lison (formerly Tocai Friulano), Sauvignon Blanc, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Refosco and Glera (Prosecco). This is further complicated by the number of clones used, for instance 6 Chardonnay (3 French/3 Italian), and his Merlot from Pomerol. In his Prosecco, proteins are managed to maintain an appealing layer of mousse in a glass of the finished wine. Cabernet Franc – called Cabernet in Veneto, and Cabernet Franc in Lison Pramaggiore – was thought for many years to be Carmenere and is still permitted to be labelled as such in the region.
Mosole’s enormously enjoyable Pinot Grigio is one of our best-selling wines. It boasts impressive complexity and character – an expression of the vineyards complemented by aging on its lees for 6 months in tank – a clean, bright wine with flirty notes of peach and almond. “So this is what Pinot Grigio is supposed to taste like!” Mosole wines are estate grown and bottled, representing outstanding value.
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