The colour is deep ruby. On the nose sour-cherries, cinnamon, toffee and smoky notes. In the mouth fresh, with a good structure. The taste is mainly of chocolate and the aftertaste is medium long.
This wine is made by CAGI (Cantina Sociale di Giubiasco) under the IGT Svizzera Italiana denomination with a blend of Marselan, Arinarnoa, Carminoir and Cabernet Franc.
Marselan is a crossing between two famous red grape varieties: Grenache and Cabernet Sauvignon. It is a fairly recent and highly regarded crossing. Marselan is among the seven varieties permitted on a minority basis (5-10%) in the Bordeaux and Bordeaux Superieur appellations. Its acceptance into the region is aimed at combating the effects of climate change on the vineyards and wines of the famed French region.
The “Cantina Sociale del Bellinzonese” began its activity in 1928 to make the wine for the federal shooting festival, scheduled in Bellinzona from 12 to 28 July, 1929. It was the first wine cooperative of Canton Ticino.
The 1958 harvest saw for the first time the quantity of Merlot grapes delivered to the cooperative exceeding that of Bondola, an ancient dark-skinned grape variety indigenous of Sopraceneri.
In 1972 the winery name was changed from “Cantina sociale del Bellinzonese” to “Cantina sociale di Giubiasco”, while maintaining the status of cooperative.
Nowadays, it encompasses 350 vine-growers and has a share of roughly 12% of the entire wine production of Canton Ticino. Merlot grapes represent 4/5 of the harvest conferred to the winery. They are made into red, white and rosé wines.
At the winery this bottle sells for 30.30 CHF.
Country: Switzerland
Region: Ticino
Grapes: Marselan, Arinarnoa, Carminoir, Cabernet Franc
Type: Red
Vintage: 2018
Producer: CAGI
Price range: Premium (30-50 US$)
Pascal’s Enjoyment Index: 3/5