Arpepe Il Pettirosso Valtellina Superiore 2021

Ar.Pe.Pe. Il Pettirosso 2021
Valtellina Superiore DOCG — Lombardia, Italy

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Producer
Ar.Pe.Pe. is the acronym of founder Arturo Pelizzatti Perego, the visionary behind this jewel of Valtellina, perched between the Rhaetian and Orobie Alps — one of the most stunning and dramatic landscapes in northern Italy. Here, true heroic viticulture is practised on steep granite terraces first carved out by the Romans. Now led by the inspired 4th generation — siblings Isabella, Emanuele, and Guido — Ar.Pe.Pe. continues to show how mountain Nebbiolo (Chiavennasca) can reach extraordinary levels of purity, elegance, tertiary complexity, freshness, and mineral expression.

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Wine
Among the heroic alpine vineyards where Chiavennasca braves cold winds and steep slopes, Il Pettirosso was born. The name — the robin — is not only lyrical but also a living tribute to the intimate connection between nature, wine, and the family.

Legend has it that one calm afternoon, a small robin flew into the Ar.Pe.Pe. cellar, landing on an old acacia barrel. A few days later, Isabella noticed a small crack in that very cask — and, as if guided by the bird, they realised the wine inside was ready for bottling. Thus, Il Pettirosso was first created from some of the most elegant barrels of the 1997 vintage.

Today, Il Pettirosso is not simply a wine, but a sensitive and improvised composition. In certain years, when wines from the central three zones of the DOCG blend in perfect harmony, it emerges as a unified expression of Valtellina. Vinification and ageing follow no fixed plan — the wine is guided by intuition and tradition, a script invisibly written by previous generations, especially the patriarch Arturo Pellizzatti.

To this day, the label remains hand-drawn — a family tradition started by Arturo and carried on by Isabella, continuing to inspire the next generation. They say that on special nights, the little robin still visits the Sondrio terraces, its gentle song among the barrels announcing another great vintage.

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Technical Profile
Producer: Ar.Pe.Pe.
Region: Lombardia — Valtellina Superiore DOCG
Vintage: 2021
Grape: 100% Chiavennasca (Nebbiolo)
Altitude: 350–550 metres
Soil: Sandy with glacial origin

Vinification:
• Indigenous yeast fermentation
• Long maceration
• Aged ~24 months in large Slavonian oak botti + bottle ageing

Farming: Traditional & minimal intervention
Alcohol: 13.5% vol.
Winemaker: Isabella Pellizzatti Perego

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Tasting Notes
Delicate aromas of dried roses, sour cherries, fine spices, and black tea. On the palate: elegant, with ultra-fine tannins, vibrant acidity, and an almost ethereal texture. A mountain Nebbiolo of authenticity and finesse.

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Pairing Suggestions
Perfect with game birds, mushroom risotto, creamy polenta, artisanal charcuterie, or simply a deep conversation between friends who love Nebbiolo.

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