Selvagrossa
Pesaro, Marche, Italy
Located in Pesaro, a mere 10 kilometers from the Adriatic coast of Le Marche, Selvagrossa is a small estate with only five hectares of vineyards. Sangiovese, the area's predominant vine, along with select international varietals which have a history of growing in the area, find a terroir favorable to the production of great wines of character.
Brothers Alberto and Alessandro Taddei inherited the Estate in 2002 from their grandparents, and the first Selvagrossa wine was made that same year from an old-vine Sangiovese vineyard planted in the early 70’s by Alberto and Alessandro’s father and grandfather. During the following years more Sangiovese was planted as well as Merlot and Cabernet Franc in order to exploit the advantages of the Adriatic terroir. The area is marked by cool summer nights with soil rich in clay. The results of these conditions yield wines with great acidity which is especially important for Cabernet Franc.
While in oenology school in Tuscany, Alberto had the opportunity to work at the famed, three star Michelin restaurant Enoteca Pinchiorri in Florence, an experience that allowed him to taste and appreciate the world's most significant wines and to meet so many influential people and producers from Italy as well as abroad. After earning his enology degree in 1999, Alberto moved to New York as wine buyer and general manager of Falai Restaurant in Manhattan’s lower east side. His brother Alessandro was executive chef in one of Pesaro’s most prestigious restaurants as well as working for one of Pesaro’s better butcher shops. This connection with the wine industry from both the wine buying and culinary sides have given the brothers a wealth of experience and perspective that have created a foundation for them as wine growers and producers.
While the estate is not certified organic, Alberto and Alessandro work organically, maintaining cover crops and using only organic treatments in the vineyards. The wines are all fermented spontaneously and a minimal amount of SO2 is used at bottling to stabilize the wines.
Our Selections
Selvagrossa ICA Marche Rosato IGT 2023
100% Ciliegiolo from 15 year old vines planted to sandy soils with limestone and clay. The grapes are destemmed before going into a soft press for maceration for about 2-3 hours before spontaneous fermentation in temperature control stainless steel tank. Once fermentation is completed, the wine is left on the fine lees for about three months. Aromas of cherries with nice acidity and creamy finish. Only 200 cases produced.
Selvagrossa Cuchen Marche Bianco IGT 2023
Cuchen means “mama’s boy” or “munchkin” in the local dialect and is a childhood nickname for Alberto’s brother, Alessandro, who now assists in running the property. 100% Albanella planted on the hills around Pesaro, on the Adriatic coast. Albanella was long thought to be Trebbiano Toscana but DNA evidence has recently proved otherwise. According to Ian D’Agata’s Italy’s Native & Traditional Grapes, Albanella is genetically related to Germany’s Elbling and Spain’s Albariño. It is grown almost exclusively in the area around Pesaro.
Alberto’s ‘Cuchen’ Albanella is a bright and dry white wine with lovely floral and green apple notes on the nose, a medium texture, good acidity, and mineral notes on the finish. After a two-day cold maceration, fermentation takes place in temperature-controlled stainless-steel tanks and is bottled with no fining. Only 400 cases were made.
Selvagrossa Muschen Marche Rosso IGT 2022
A blend of 50% Sangiovese, 30% Merlot and 20% Cabenet Franc which are all fermented separately and blended after fermentation. The grapes are de-stemmed and the must is punched down. Temperature control fermentation is at 22-24 degrees Celsius. There is a four day maceration after fermentation. The wine remains on the lees in stainless steel tanks for three months. It's then blended and bottled by the end of May/ beginning of June. There is no oak.
The Cabernet Franc and Merlot come from soils planted to clay and sand. Sangiovese is planted to limestone and sand: calcareous soils. Really good and brambly with nice texture. 20mg of free SO2. The total SO2 is 50 mg.
Muschen is a fruit-fly in the local dialect. This annoying little insect is also Alberto’s nickname.
Selvagrossa Poveriano Marche Rosso IGT 2020
This 100% Cabernet Franc is a benchmark for the Marche. After a careful selection in the vineyard, fermentation takes place in stainless steel tanks. The wine is then aged 14 months in French barriques from Alliers and Troncais (300-500 liter tonneau. 50% new and 50% 3 to 4 years old), followed by an additional 6 months in the bottle.
Poveriano is complex and fruit-driven on the nose with hints of cassis, spices, and white pepper. The wine is very balanced with soft tannins with seductive herbal notes typical of Cabernet Franc. The Poveriano vineyard is named for an old road that once passed through the state. Only 200 cases produced.
Selvagrossa Gioacchino Red Vermouth NV
Gioachino is a red Vermouth created by our friend Alberto Taddei at Selvagrossa and named for Gioachino Rossini, the well-known 19th century composer of such operas as The Barber of Seville. Rossini was a native of Pesaro, the home of the Selvagrossa winery.
Alberto created Gioachino Red Vermouth with a base of Trebbiano and Sangiovese along with a remarkably varied list of botanicals, including artemisia, gentian, hibiscus, rosehip, chamomile, lemon, bitter orange, cedar, cinnamon, black pepper, ginger, cardamom, eucalyptus, lemon balm, cubebe pepper, cocoa, tonka bean, thyme, rosemary, myrtle, and elderflower. This is a robust, darkly colored vermouth with a distinct bitter finish that is nicely rounded with a touch of sweetness. Ideally served on the rocks with a twist or a slice of orange. 16% alcohol.