Castel del Monte
The lonely and fascinating Castel del Monte dominates from one of the highest of the Murgia hills a wide area of Puglia, from the Tavoliere plains to the Gargano and Vulture mountains.
Castel del MonteIt was built by emperor Frederik II of Swabia in 1240 and represents since then a precise symbolic and spiritual architecture whose mystery continues to fascinate scholars of the whole world. The perfect geometry of the building features, together with the repeating of the octagonal shape, its proportions given by astrological and exoterical references.
Castel del Monte planIndeed it was not planned to defend a territory, but it was wanted by the emperor to celebrate himself and his temporal power through a symbolism that was typical of the Middle Age.
Rivera and the de Corato family
It was in the early 1900s that Giuseppe de Corato acquired the vast Rivera tenuta, or estate, in the territory of Andria, and planted it to vines, olives, and grain.
Fifty years later, his son Sebastiano founded the Azienda Vinicola Rivera, inspired by his vision of realising the enormous viticultural potential of the Castel del Monte area. The old cellar was renovated, the vineyards replanted, and that era's most up-to-date practices adopted, and high-quality wine was the result.
Widespread recognition quickly followed, and Rivera became the benchmark of Apulia wine production and the force driving its rebirth. Sebastiano's single-minded dedication to quality, and that of his son Carlo, brought about a remarkable innovation: the introduction into the estate vineyards of noble grape varieties from other regions, such as sauvignon blanc and chardonnay.
The long, patient efforts that followed were rewarded with the incorporation of those varieties into the production code of the Castel del Monte D.O.C. The entry into the Rivera firm of Carlo's son, Sebastiano, signalled a rededication to its values, in a dynamic mode, and a sharply-focused approach to the market, with emphasis falling on developing the area's native varieties, in order to produce wines of significant quality and distinctiveness, wines that would reflect the world of colours, of scents, of flavours that make up the land of Apulia.
The Winery
The original core of the cellar dates back to the early 1900s, but growth over the years has brought ever more modern equipment.
The internal court yardA new wing was added to the cellar in the 1960s, provided with fibreglass-lined vats, and it is now entirely temperature-controlled. Today there is a new, totally modern fermentation facility, with small-capacity stainless-steel tanks for fermenting white wines and macerating rosés and red wines on the skins.
The maturation of the red wines takes place in two underground spaces containing over 600 225- and 400-litre French oak barrels and large 5,500 and 3.000-litre Slavonian oak casks or botti.
The Wines are already Imported in USA. Looking for Importers in Other countries where the brand does not have representation.
Puer Apuliae
Puer Apuliae was one of the names by which Frederick II was known. The 13th-century Swabian emperor had such a passion for this land that he built here his Castel del Monte, thus leaving for all humanity an indelible remembrance of himself. This wine, too, is called 'Son of Apulia', since it is produced from the most repesentative native red grape variety of north-central Apulia, the nero di Troia.
GROWING AREA
Commune of Andria, in the "Castel del Monte" D.O.C. area.
GRAPE VARIETIES
100% nero di Troia 'ad acino piccolo' (small berry), one of the old clones specifically selected by Rivera for its vineyards.
TECHNICAL DATA
Alcohol 13.5%; total acidity 5.55 g/l; pH 3.43; residual sugar 1.6 g/l; extract 34 g/l; total S02 75 mg/l.
TASTING NOTES
An impenetrably deep purple; rich, clean-edged aromas of dark fruit, violets, and star anise; very dense and concentrated in the mouth, with good development and length, and spicy dark fruit; the finish is laden with rich, soft tannins.
SERVING SUGGESTIONS
The wine's superb weight and full body, as well as its contemporary style, make it the perfect match for rich, savoury dishes containing fats, such as fine roasts, large game, meat dishes with hearty sauces, and aged cheeses. Serve at 18°-20°C, after allowing to breathe.
STORING
If stored correctly, Puer Apuliae's exceptional structure will enable it to age well in the bottle for 15-20 years.
Lama di Corvo
Lama di Corvo is the prestigious white wine that Casa Rivera wishes to dedicate to the new vineyard planted in the rocky hills of the Lama di Corvo area in the northern section of the Castel del Monte D.O.C.
Lama di Corvo
Castel del Monte Chardonnay D.O.C.
GROWING AREA
Commune of Andria, in the "Castel del Monte" D.O.C. area.
GRAPE VARIETIES
100% Chardonnay.
TECHNICAL DATA
Alcohol 13.5%; total acidity 5.90 g/l; pH 3.35; residual sugar 2.2 g/l; total S02 80 mg/l; extract 24.5 g/l.
TASTING NOTES
A rich straw yellow. The rich nose releases complex, but clean-edged, aromas of banana and ripe apricot, over spicy nuances of cinnamon and saffron that detract nothing from the fruit. Very dense and viscous, the wine truly impresses with the elegant balance between its aromatic wealth and the crispness of its fruit.
SERVING SUGGESTIONS
Its dense aromas make it ideal for accompanying antipasti, full-flavoured first and second courses featuring fish, and poultry and veal as well.
STORING
If stored correctly, it will age for 4-5 years.
Il Falcone (93 Points by The Wine Advocate)
II Falcone is one of Apulia's most prestigious red wines. Its name and its quality are considered by Rivera as homage to the Emperor Frederick II of Swabia, who loved to hunt with il falcone, the falcon, in the countryside around his Castel del Monte.
Il Falcone
Castel del Monte D.O.C. - Riserva
GROWING AREA
Commune of Andria, in the "Castel del Monte" D.O.C. area.
GRAPE VARIETIES
70% Nero di Troia, 30% Montepulciano.
TECHNICAL DATA
Alcohol 13.5%; total acidity 5.40 g/l; pH 3.45; residual sugar 1.8 g/l; total S02 75 mg/l.
TASTING NOTES
Dense garnet red in hue; complex nose offering ripe fruit, leather, tobacco leaf, and spice; dry and austere but very generous in the mouth, displaying an absolutely magisterial structure and a lingering, well-balanced finish.
SERVING SUGGESTIONS
The weight and elegance of this wine makes it the perfect companion to fine roasts, large game, meats in hearty sauces, and aged cheeses. Serve at cool room temperature after allowing to breathe.
STORING
Stored correctly, it will cellar well for more than 20 years.
Cappellaccio
The wine is named for cappellaccio, or gossan, the hard layer about 30-40 cm down in tufaceous soils formed over the centuries by water erosion of limestone. Planting vineyards on such virgin soils required deep-ripping so that vine roots could penetrate it and reach water. Cappellaccio displays to the fullest the qualities of the aglianico variety and of its terroir.
Cappellaccio
Castel del Monte Aglianico D.O.C. - Riserva
GROWING AREA
Commune of Andria, in the "Castel del Monte" D.O.C. area.
GRAPE VARIETIES
100% Aglianico.
TECHNICAL DATA
Alcohol 13.5%; total acidity 5.70 g/l; pH 3.45; residual sugar 1.8 g/l; total S02 75 mg/l.
TASTING NOTES
Deep garnet red in hue; rich, complex aromas, with marked varietal character, showing ripe red fruit, tanned leather, and spices; full-bodied with generous alcohol, firm structure complementing rich fruit, with lengthy, crisp-edged finish.
SERVING SUGGESTIONS
First courses with red sauces, roast lamb and mutton, medium-hard and aged cheeses. Serve at 18°-20°C.
STORING
Stored correctly, Cappellaccio will continue to mature in the bottle for 7-8 years.
Furfante Bianco
Furfante is Rivera's most refreshing lightly-effervescent white wine. This e wine is produced from varieties long-traditional to north-central Puglia, with grapes that have been rigorously quality-selected. It is crisp and delicate, displaying an appealing, soft effervescence. Well chilled, it is an excellent aperitif wine, as well as a delicious, easy-drinking partner to fish-based dishes.
Furfante Bianco
Vivace - Puglia IGT
GROWING AREA
Hills and pre-hills of the Murgia area, northwest of Bari.
GRAPES
Bombino bianco and lesser amounts of Pampanuto.
TECHNICAL INFORMATION
Alcohol 11%; total acidity: 5.80 g/l; pH 3.20; residual sugar: 2.2 g/l; total SO2: 90 mg/l.
SENSORY PROFILE
Light straw appearance; lively, fruity bouquet with classic notes of fresh hay; delicate, refreshing palate.
SERVING SUGGESTIONS
Its liveliness and moderate alcohol make it the ideal choice for an aperitif wine, and it is delicious with seafood and a wide range of fish. Serve at 8-10°C.
Grappa Il Falcone
Grappa
A limited-production grappa made exclusively from the fresh pomace of the Nero di Troia and Montepulciano grapes that go to produce Rivera's Il Falcone, Castel del Monte Riserva DOC wine.
The traditional pot still method is used in order to preserve the freshness and the varietal characteristics of the grape varieties. Il Falcone grappa displays delicate but intense aromas and a dry, crisp palate, elegantly reflecting the fine wine from which it is produced.
TECHNICAL DATA
Alcohol 40%