by Maurizio Iachemet, winemaker at Monfort
After years of patient work with Pinot Noir, exploring its quality and the many ways it can express the Trentino terroir, we set ourselves a new challenge: to craft a Metodo Classico made entirely from this noble grape.
The project took shape in 2018, driven by a desire to innovate and create a sparkling wine of great depth and longevity. The first step was to find the right place — because not every site suits Pinot Noir for sparkling wine. Altitude, soil composition, and vine training all had to align perfectly.
The answer lay close to home: a vineyard my father planted in 1983 in Cembra, at 550 meters above sea level. Its pergola trentina system protects the grapes and preserves acidity, while the clay-rich soil adds structure and complexity — the ideal foundation for our vision.
Rather than a rosé, we chose to create a Blanc de Noir, pressing the grapes gently to capture only the purest juice. The result is a base wine of delicate color and refined aroma, expressing the elegance of Pinot Noir in its most subtle form.
Fermentation took place in small 225-liter oak barrels, encouraging malolactic fermentation and a light oxidative note that would prepare the wine for a long ageing on the lees. Inspired by the great Champagnes, we wanted a Trento DOC that could evolve with grace and reveal depth over time.
Harvested in early September, the wine today tells the story of that balance between passion, experimentation, and deep respect for the land — a sparkling wine where tradition meets boldness, and where Cembra’s Pinot Noir finds a new voice.