Alessandro Cutolo has it going on. Passionate, intuitive, respectful, and young- he is a modern purist committed to achieving his best. Farming older vine Turbiana (Trebbiano di Lugana) grapes on the southern shores of Lake Garda and turning them into precious wines is his gig. He has a small plot of land, especially for his Chiaretto- Mostly Groppello, followed by Marzamino and bits of Barbera and Sangiovese. What a fabulous rose this is! It is elegant and timeless, with soft strawberries, bright acidity, and heaps of minerality. Oh, joy!
There are no manipulations at Azienda Agricola Marangona. Farming is done sustainably with careful attention to very low environmental impact; this is his land, his family's land —there is no other way. His objective is to make wine naturally that fully expresses the grape, the sun, and the soil. He is more than good at it.
Proof? It's in the bottle—a deliciously elegant Lugana with hints of lemon blossom and fresh white fruit. It's a balanced wine with the right minerality and crisp, clean flavors—sophisticated but not pretentious.
'M’rangona' ‘refers to the name of a bell that, in the past, was rung to signify the end of the workday. The farm still has this bell.
The area and appellations are rather interesting. The Lugana Doc appellation is around the base of Lake Garda, which is a spectacular part of Italy, though best to go when the rest of Europe is not on vacation. The soils at Marangona are calcareous clay, rich in minerals, though this changes from vineyard to vineyard. You can taste 20 Lugana's, and none will taste the same; the soil and the winemaker are the most essential parts of the game. The altitude is not so high at about 50 - 100, seeing the Doc is in the flatlands around the lake; even so, the wines have crisp, fresh acidity.
Chiaretto is a whole other beast; the four grapes are Chiaretto, Marzamino Barbera, and Sangiovese. The Garda Dop requires up to 50% of the wine from Groppello; yes, there can be more than 50%. This leaves considerable room for experimentation and self-expression among winemakers. MarMarangona'sot of these red grapes is very limited. About 1 hectare of 30-year-old vines were set up decades ago with 50% Groppello, 30% Marzamino, and equal plantings of Barbera and Sangiovese. They do not make much. When rosé is in fashion and better rosé, such as theirs, is prized, there is never enough to go around.
Who:
Alessandro Cutolo
Where:
Pozzolengo (Lake Garda), Brescia • Lombardy - Italy
Founded:
The property dates back 4 generations, skipping Alessandro’s father and landing to him about
15 years ago.
Land:
22 hectares, 148 meters above sea level
Grapes:
Turbiana (Trebbiano di Lugana), Groppello, Marzamino, Barbera + Sangiovese
Appellation:
Turbiana de Lugana doc, Chiaretto dop
Viticulture: Organic
Annual Production:
Marangona | Lugana
Lugana DOP
Spring blossom, green apple, and hazelnut + green melon,
white peach alongside tangy acidity.
APPELLATION: Lugana DOP / Comune: Pozzolengo
GRAPE(S): Turbiana (Trebbiano di Lugana)
Native yeast fermentation, 22-year-old vines, hand-picked into boxes- the old fashion way, the way it should be.
The Turbiana grapes are processed whole to preserve the typical characteristics and maximum aromas of this native grape. Fermentation occurs in steel at a low temperature, on the lees for 3 or 4 months, producing wines with a light bouquet of white flowers and white-fleshed fruit, non-obtrusive and remarkable drinkability.
BOTTLE SIZE: 750 ml
PACK: 12
CLOSURE: Stelvin
ALC BY VOL(%): 13.5
LONGEVITY: 3+ years
SKU:
Marangona | Cemento Lugana
Lugana DOP
Marangona is considered one of the denomination’s top vignaioli,
and this is one of everyone’s favorites.
APPELLATION: Lugana DOP / Comune: Pozzolengo
GRAPE(S): Turbiana (Trebbiano di Lugana)
This Lugana is special. With much time spent in handpicked, artisan-crafted cement, you get all the pleasantries of the entry Lugana (above) with more depth and mouthfeel. Aromas of bread crust, hazelnut, and mature yellow stone fruit lead the nose. The elegant palate reflects the nose, offering ripe yellow apple, mature pear, and bitter almond. Tangy acidity brightens the rich flavors. As always, native yeast and organic farming.
Reviews: Kerin O’Keefe Wine Enthusiast 2020
Reviews: Kerin O’Keefe Wine Enthusiast 2018
Reviews: Kerin O’Keefe Wine Enthusiast 2017
BOTTLE SIZE: 750 ml
PACK: 12
CLOSURE: Stelvin
ALC BY VOL(%): 13
LONGEVITY: 5+ years
SKU:
Marangona | ‘Tre Campane’ Lugana
Lugana DOP
Tre Campane, 'Three Bells,'
is named after the three historic communes of Lugana
where the grapes for this cuvee are grown-
Pozzolengo, Sirmione, and Peschiera.
APPELLATION: Lugana DOC / Comune: Pozzolengo
GRAPE(S): Turbiana (Trebbiano di Lugana)Alessandro harvests the grapes in two parts, the first half in mid-September, much earlier than usual, and the remainder in mid-October at full ripening; this allows for him to make a wine with sharp, fresh acidity and also the added body and complexity that would be lost if the harvest was only at one time. At the end of fermentation. it is aged on the lees, then bottled early the following year. No oak, no malo.
The process is a heightened version of the entry Lugana, resulting in an intense wine; this one goes to 11. Typical pale hay color in the glass, with aromas and flavors very much in line- almonds, small leaf herbs, citrus, and a hint of apricot. Long in the mouth with a solid medium-body plus mouthwatering, fresh acidity. A wine that can take you from cheers to a dinner of fish, pasta, or light meats without missing a beat.
Reviews: Kerin O’Keefe Wine Enthusiast 2020 92 pts
Reviews: Kerin O’Keefe Wine Enthusiast 2019 94 pts
Reviews: Kerin O’Keefe Wine Enthusiast 2018 92 pts
Reviews: Kerin O’Keefe Wine Enthusiast 2017 92 pts
Reviews: Kerin O’Keefe Wine Enthusiast 2016 92 pts
BOTTLE SIZE: 750 ml
PACK: 12
CLOSURE: Stelvin
ALC BY VOL(%): 13
LONGEVITY: 5+ years
SKU:
Marangona | Chiaretto
Garda Classico Chiaretto DOP
Wild red berries, hay, chamomile, and bread dough
take center stage in this limited production, delicious Rosato.
APPELLATION: Riviera Del Garda Classico DOP
Comune: Pozzolengo
GRAPE(S): Groppello, Marzamino, Sangiovese, + Barbera
Production: 4,000 bottles produced.
Made from a blend of Groppello, Marzamino, Sangiovese, and Barbera, this wine spent only a few hours on the must to preserve the freshness and balance of this rose. Classic aromas of rose petals, strawberries, and raspberries lead the flavor profile, with a vital mineral core functioning to give structure, acidity, and length to this bottling. Balanced, refreshing, and perfectly delicate. Direct-pressed free-run juice, all stainless steel.
BOTTLE SIZE: 750 ml
PACK: 12
CLOSURE: Stelvin
ALC BY VOL(%): 13
LONGEVITY: 2-3 years
SKU:
IT’S THE LAW
Spumante wines may undergo a second fermentation in bottles (Metodo Classico) or in pressurized tanks (Charmat method)
Minimum alcohol level: 11.0% for Bianco; 11.5% for Spumante; 12.0% for Superiore and Riserva; 13.0% for Vendemmia Tardiva
Residual sugar: Maximum 25 g/l (2.5%) for Spumante
Aging: For Bianco, minimum approx. 4–5 months (ERD = January 15, V+1); for Vendemmia Tardiva and Superiore, minimum 12 months (ERD = October 1, V+1); for Riserva, minimum 24 months, including 6 months in bottle (ERD = October 1, V+2)
ABOUT THE LUGANA DOC
Region: Lombardia, VenetO
History: Established as a DOC in 1967
Vineyard Area: 2,107 ha / 5,204 acres (2018)
Production: 128,000 hl / 1,423,000 cases (2018)
Principal White Grape Varieties: Trebbiano
Styles and Wine Composition
Bianco (Wh): Minimum 90% Trebbiano di Soave (locally Trebbiano di Lugana or Turbiana) + OANWG
Superiore (Bianco)
Riserva (Bianco)
SPARKLING WINES
Spumante (WhSp): Minimum 90% Trebbiano di Soave + OANWG
DESSERT AND SPECIALTY WINES
Vendemmia Tardiva (WhSw): Minimum 90% Trebbiano di Soave + OANWG
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