This special wine was first produced in 2000, to commemorate the bicentennial of Napoleon's passage through the Valle d'Aosta. Ancient chronicles recount how Napoleon encamped in Donnas from May 24 to 29, 1800. One evening, his soldiers forced their way into a wine cellar by breaking down a door, pouring wine liberally and enjoying copious drinking parties while leaving the taps running. When Napoleon was informed of the incident, he visited the cellar to assess the damage. After tasting the wine, which he found "excellent," he ordered compensation from the owner.
The wine has a ruby-red color with garnet reflections, indicating its depth and complexity. The aroma is refined, with notes of forest fruits and a light spice. Upon tasting, the wine offers a dry, harmonious flavor, with pronounced notes of berries and a subtle spicy undertone. The finish is particularly pleasant with a hint of almond, creating a refined and long-lasting taste sensation. The alcohol content is 14%, and the total acidity is 6.22 g/l, contributing to the wine's vibrancy, while the dry extract is a minimum of 28.70 g/l, giving it a firm structure.
The wine is made from Nebbiolo grapes of the local "Picotendro" variety, known for its small, delicate berries. These grapes grow on steep, well-drained, gravelly slopes, with a south- to southeast-facing exposure, at an altitude of 350 to 400 meters above sea level. The vineyards are located in the communes of Donnas, Perloz, Pont-Saint-Martin, and Bard. The vines are cultivated using the pergola system, with a density of 2,500 vines per hectare and a yield of 70 quintals per hectare.
The harvest takes place between mid- and late October, when the grapes are perfectly ripe. After harvesting, the wine is vinified in stainless steel tanks to preserve the freshness and purity of the fruit. It then ages for twelve months in 500-liter oak barrels, which gives the wine a delicate oaky note and a refined tannic structure.
This wine is an ideal pairing with dishes such as red meat, braised meats, local Fontina cheese, and other aged cheeses. It not only embodies the history of the Valle d'Aosta but also offers a harmonious and rich tasting experience for those who appreciate refined wines with a story.
Je connaissais déjà les vins de Donnas et je suis très content d'en trouver chez On-Wine et le Donnas Napoléon est particulièrement bon, un pur Nebbiolo des montagnes dramatiques de la Vallée d'Aoste !
De wijn komt direct van de wijnboeren, zij sturen de flessen ook eigenhandig op.
De wijnboer verstuurt naar jouw voordeur
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Wine purchased via Onwine comes directly from the winery.
All wineries pack the bottles themselves and hand them over to our shipping partner. Onwine works with boxes the size of 6 or 12 bottles.
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