2016 Fausto & Augusto Andi Frodo Provincia di Pavia IGT 750mL

Inspired by the principles of the 16th century Benedictine "landscape vineyard", a concept in which nature produces within a framework of absolute equilibrium, the father and son team of Fausto and Augusto Andi continue a long familial winemaking tradition and make wines that evoke the spirit of Oltrepò Pavese in Lombardy, Italy. Their winemaking style embodies biodynamic practices and is artisanal, free of shortcuts and chemicals, and enriched by experiments with self-produced active microorganisms. Each wine produced is represented by their philosophy of working with the land and conversing with nature, while balancing the drive to innovate, to ensure the wines uniquely express themselves as much as possible.

In addition to traditional winemaking, Fausto is perhaps the only figure in the area with extensive expertise in native and historic grape varieties, studied and cultivated over the decades in his own experimental field and not restricted by any specific regulations. One of these varietals is Moradella (not to be confused with Mortadella!), one of the oldest grape varieties planted in Lombardy, which once covered 60% of the Oltrepò area before phylloxera. Moradella is a late ripening, heat resistant vine that produces spicy, alcohol-rich red wines with light color and often used for rapid consumption wines. However, the 100% Moradella based 2016 Fausto & Augusto Andi Frodo, made by 30% whole bunches of grapes going through spontaneous fermentation with maceration in wooden vats for 12 months and aged for one year in wood, is a rustic and intense beast that provokes conversation. The wine has heady and intense aromatics of fig and prosciutto with an equally intense and rich palate accompanied by layers of cacao nib, dried black cherries, prune and leather.