Botticino

Styles

Principal grape varieties

Terroir

• The soil of the production zone has a more or less ferretized appearance and is rich in limestone, with a good quantity of potassium and a reasonable level of total phosphoric anhydride.
• The production valley, known as Valverde, originated in the Mesozoic era and is composed of the typical geological formations of the Jurassic-Liassic period.
• Among the formations present, the corna stands out — a white, compact, and nearly pure limestone occurring in thick beds, which brought fame to the marbles of Botticino and Rezzato.
• The zone also contains soils derived from the Upper Lias, lighter in colour and more calcareous than those of the corso, found on the hill of Torricella and near Molvina.
• Along the strip from Caionvico to San Gallo, at the foot of Monte Maddalena, Cretaceous rocks outcrop, with marly clays at the base and marly limestones above, including the scaglia rossa and the scaglia bianca known locally as gesso, interbedded with thin layers of grey sandstone.
• Only hillfoot and hillside vineyards with good aspect and situated at an altitude of no more than 500 metres above sea level are eligible for the production of Botticino DOC.

• The first experiments in vineyard reconstruction in the province of Brescia, in the period following the phylloxera crisis, were carried out at Botticino Sera itself, where traces of those trials can still be found.
• Around 1000–1100, the Benedictines undertook a thorough and systematic programme of land reclamation in the area, which provided the foundation upon which modern Botticino subsequently developed.
• The coat of arms of the Comune di Botticino has always featured a botticella, a true small wine barrel, later depicted in triple form to represent the three merged settlements.
• Documents exist attesting to the trade in wines under the name Botticino as far back as 1800, a period during which the story of Tito Speri also contributed to their renown.

• The wine presents a deep ruby-red colour with garnet reflections, and an intense, persistent bouquet that is vinous, fruity, and spiced with vanilla and pepper.
• The palate is dry, balanced, soft, and velvety, moderately tannic and persistent.

Facts drawn from the specification's terroir-link section by automatic interpretation — see the source.

All appellations in Italy

Sources

• eAmbrosia register (EU) — File number PDO-IT-A1104
• Official trade body site — Consorzio Botticino