Type of Wine: Light-bodied wine with low acidity and low tannins.

Origin: Aleatico is a member of the Muscat family of grapes that grows throughout Puglia in Southern Italy, and more famously on the Island of Elba (the place where Napoleon was exiled to spend the remainder of this life). It is said that drinking Aleatico wine was the only enjoyable part of Napoleon’s stay.

Color: Aleatico produces wines that are bluish-red in color.

Description: Aleatico grapes produce wines that are intensely aromatic with assertive aromas of roses, lichee fruit and ripe wild blackberries. Aleatico is frequently fortified and aged and this changes the profile to a more nuanced sensory profile of faded violets and roses and earthy, dried plum flavors.

Aging: This is a wine that is either blended or more commonly made into a sweet wine that may or may not be fortified. If the wine is unfortified, the wine is meant to be consumed young. If it is fortified, it can be laid down for decades. Moscato should be consumed immediately upon its release.

Best Location: As in Elba and Puglia, sunny and warm climates with cool nights are optimal for the grapes.

Planting: The grapes were planted with northern and eastern exposures. These aspects provide the benefit of a cool-down period from the intense summer heat. These cooler temperatures allow for the “grapes to rest” and not deplete the vines of their acids and flavor compounds through avoiding over-respiration.

Food Pairings: If the wine is made unfortified, then it is best paired with double and triple creme cheeses (St Andre, Brie, Camembert ) and tarts and pastries with custard, apple, pear or berry fillings.

See our general thoughts on food and wine pairings  

back