The history of the Nino Negri winery goes back a long way and is inextricably linked to the oenological evolution of Valtellina. It all began in 1897, when Nino Negri decided to set up a wine business in Chiuro in the province of Sondrio. Growth accelerated in the decades to come; in the post-war period it was one of the most promising wineries in the area. After several changes of ownership, today it has 33 hectares of land in the most prestigious areas including Inferno, Grumello, and Fracia, at the heart of Valgella, with an average annual production of 800,000 bottles. The area's queen grape is a local variant of Nebbiolo called Chiavennasca. Sforzato di Valtellina 5 Stelle is a Lombardy red wine made exclusively from Chiavennasca grapes. It is one of the winery’s most prestigious products. Following a late harvest, the grapes are first dried for at least 90 days. This is followed by fermentation and finally passage in barriques, for 16 months, before being allowed to rest for another six months in the bottle. An intense ruby red in colour, this wine has notes of dry flowers and black fruit jam on the nose with a finish of vanilla, cocoa, and coffee. It is intense on the palate, a warm and full-bodied wine with an elegant finish of spices and plums. This wine is perfect for big occasions and for pairing with braised red meats or game.
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