As the time goes by fast ...

I can still hear the voice of Hilde Petrussa while, pride in showing me the roses at the head of the rows of its vineyards, I said: “Have you seen my roses are as beautiful?” Although it's been over a month since our meeting in Prepotto, if I close my eyes, the memory of those colors are still vivid in my mind.

At one time the farmers planted at the head of the rows as they are subject to the same diseases of the vine, powdery mildew and downy mildew; the attack on the roses, however, always occurred in advance, foreshadowing the imminent danger to winegrowers who acted with treatments based on sulfur.

Today, their function more than anything else is to beautify the vineyards; I however like to once again remind the fine traditions of times gone by appreciating those who continuity.

I wanted to introduce Hilde Petrussa so, con le sue rose ...

A woman of wine that is Dove with passion and enthusiasm in conducting small vineyard Family located at Albanian, location of the City of Prepotto in the eastern hills of Friuli.

The daughter of farmers, he lived for thirty years between Conegliano and Portogruaro working in the administration of different schools. Once you retire has been dedicated to the adaptation of its vineyards, favoring the native varieties and engaging in conduct rigorous vineyard: Guyot unilateral in new plants, inerbimento, low yields and handpicking the grapes, that have led to higher concentrations of aromatic and structural wine.

Ciao Hilde, a te the oral ...

• I describe the land on which you lie your vines?

Hello Cynthia, the valley in which it is my property, between the hills and the Judrio, is protected from the wind and is very sunny, with a micro-climate and terrain of Eocene marl (locally called ponka) ideal for the cultivation of the vine.

• What are the wines to which you are most closely tied to?

As you may have noticed I had a particular focus on the Schioppettino Prepotto, wine typical of my common. I was a co-founder of the Association of Manufacturers Schioppettino Prepotto with others and first president of the association.

During i 5 years of my term, with the help of technicians in the country and winemakers, have agreed on a production specification and I had the satisfaction of getting the sub for this vine.

Other wines to which they are particularly fond of is the White "Richenza", cuvee made from grapes coming from native grapes partially dried and fermented in French oak barrels. Also produce Friulano, Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Refosco dal peduncolo rosso.

• Are you a woman of wine. What is your experience in this world?

Although women in a world still very masculine, I was able to overcome misunderstandings, mistrust and difficulties. I believe that the obsessive attention to the vineyard and my efforts have been crucial to the goals that I have achieved. With a look risky I would say that I tried to put "the territory in the bottle".

I tried also great satisfaction when I got the Grand Gold Medal to the selection of the Mayor with the Piccolit 2005. It was the first time I entered the Capitol to receive the certificate from the hands of the Minister of Agriculture.

Hilde Petrussa

Lorenzaga Motta di Livenza, Treviso

There is a land in Treviso that saved me twice. The first time a child, and a second a few years ago. Now I feel I belong to her, whatever and however will, I know they are part of it. As soon as I get back from her. The excitement when I arrived the same, always, as the sadness that comes over me at the start, when I have to leave.

A land full of memories ...

I relive them walking in the vineyards of 'Old Elm Farm adjacent to the family home where I spent the happiest moments of my childhood.

A vineyard of about fifteen hectares in the hamlet of Lorenzaga of Motta di Livenza that the family Berto, owners, were named in honor of an old elm tree on the estate. For more than sixty years, by founders Mary and Peter, and poi below, by his sons Sergio and Mario, Berto continues the family tradition of grape growing and wine production in an environmentally. Raboso Trevigiano, Merlot, Malbech, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Red Refosco dal peduncle, Pinot Bianco, Chardonnay, Verduzzo Trevigiano, Glera Prosecco, these are their wines.

As you read, in their productions, there is also the Prosecco, and here I stop a moment for reflection.

During my recent forays up and down the Treviso area was discussed with both producers with friends winemakers of this wine has ancient origins that, in recent years, enjoys particular success among consumers. This favorable trend should not please me. Too bad that there is a risk, now that would define certainty, the looting of its grapes to the Treviso historical suited, explanted and replaced with prosecco, Prosecco sparkling wine and still. But beware, Prosecco DOCG Prosecco and there ... !  

Complicit in this confusing situation the market affected by the lack of culture which unfortunately, who should, does not transmit properly.Let me give you just one example. Como A short time ago in a restaurant that was recommended to me, the guy at the entrance to my own room and began telling me: “Let's start with a prosecchino?"My stock answer was: “Let's start badly !"But I think the way to present a Prosecco ?!  

In this regard, take this opportunity to intervene friend Paolo Ianna that, actively participating in the event "Vino in Villa ',  he got to know more about.

Paolo Ianna

Hello Cynthia,

At Vino in Villa we tasted a hundred Prosecco DOCG for Help ViniBuoni of Italy; do we still have to try many in the coming days.

The quality, DOCG since the advent of 2010, is always higher. With the introduction of the new opportunities of the type "Rive",  the pride of having a prestigious name for its own product oriented in a more than positive commitment to produce with more attention and care.

I might add that the manufacturers believe in their potential, much more than in the recent past. Then, Prosecco of high quality whose quality increases from year to year.

Unfortunately you are espiantando vineyards that gave the delicious red wines that, a world of wine-oriented gurus, snob, and drawing-room, has never recognized as such.

I do not dare to judge the choices of producers who seek only to obtain sources of income not related to the whims and capriccetti of some guide, issuing moral judgments without being required.

I hope I was not too controversial.

Paul was not at all controversial, has only expressed a truth that I fully agree. Our words are driven by passion and love for the land in the broadest sense of the term. An area with a well-defined area of ​​historical production, guarantor of quality and superiority.

As pointed out by himself, the introduction of the type “Bank” reserved for sparkling wines, is a pure expression of territoriality being tied to a product derived from grapes of a single municipality or fraction thereof. This term in the local dialect, indicates vineyards in steep lands.