Last bottle from my Tanzanian tour! The domaine remains the same, Cetawico, but in this occasion
the level is expected to be higher, due to the Vinification process, the grapes
used and the care that the producer gives to this product. At first sight I
remained impressed by the label, much more cared and studied, created to feel
comfortable in official events in which, in the aim of the producer, this
bottle could (and should) be called to represent Tanzania and its wines.
Let’s see if the wine
deserves this special packaging and attention …
Domaine and vineyard
The story of this experience, a mix of mission and enterprise, begins in
2004 when the Italian engineer and entrepreneur Fiorenzo Chesini was
contracted by the Italian charity foundation San
Zeno to dig a well for potable water in the village of Hombolo. Once there he
realized that almost fifteen years before an Italian missionary, running a
mission there, had brought with him some grapes and started to cultivate it
there producing some wine. Unfortunately, after few years he was moved to
another place and the production ceased but the legacy remained in the know-how
and in the vines of some local producers. Back to Italy he told this story to
the foundation and added his firm conviction that good wine could have been
produced there. San Zeno accepted to fund the adventure so in 2004 an old grain store is reconditioned and becomes the
cellar of the new Central Tanzania Wine Company (CETAWICO) and is then equipped
with the latest tools for wine production. Two agronomists, one Italian and one
Tanzanian, rule the daily routine. In 2005 first products are on the market and
start being spread to the European and American buyers. In addition the
CETAWICO participated at the famous Italian wine exhibition Vinitaly.
The wine
Ambassador 2011 is a
wine produced from (probably) the blend of Marzemino, Teroldego, Syrah and
Aglianico coming selected vines. The region is located in the central Tanzania,
The climate is mild and breezy, with temperatures
ranging from 20°C
to 35°C.
In Hombòlo it rarely rains, but thanks to an irrigation system constructed in
the nineties by the Italian government, the soil is fertile and produces two
harvests per year (March and September).
Once completed the
harvest the grapes are cleaned with compressed air and then placed in a
stemming and crushing machine. The juice together with the skins is pumped into
special stainless steel fermentation tanks with temperature control.
The fermentation tank
capacity is approximately 1000 hl and also the stainless steel storage tanks,
where the wine matures for 6 months, have a similar capacity. The filling
machine is completely automatized and is equipped with a filtering and micro
filtering system.
The unique
characteristic of this wine is that is goes through a double fermentation. Once
completed the forts, the juice is poured into casks containing the lees of the
PRESIDENTIAL, the top wine of this producer, for a second one.
Tasting Note
|
Date
|
26 August 2014
|
|
|
|
Wine name
|
AMBASSADOR
|
Vintage
|
2011
|
|
Nation
|
Tanzania
|
Region
|
Hombolo
|
|
AOC-DOC
|
//
|
Grape Varieties
|
//
|
|
Serving temperature
|
16-18° C
|
Alcohol
|
14
|
|
Price (in euro)
|
10
|
|
|
|
Visual Examination
|
Taste analysis
|
||
|
Limpidity
|
Quiet Clear
|
Body
|
Full
|
|
Color
|
Ruby Red
|
Balance
|
Balanced
|
|
Consistency
|
Quiet consistent
|
Soft sensations
|
Warm – Quiet Soft
|
|
Effervescence
|
//
|
Hard sensations
|
Quiet Tannic
|
|
|
|
Flavors intensity
|
Quite intense
|
|
Olfactory analysis
|
Flavors
|
Sweet spices, fruits
|
|
|
Aroma intensity
|
Quite intense
|
|
|
|
Complexity
|
Quite complex
|
Finish/Persistence
|
|
|
Quality
|
Fine
|
Overall evaluations
|
|
|
Aromas
|
Raspberries, plums, violets
|
Development
|
Ready
|
|
|
chocolate
|
Harmony
|
Quiet Harmonious
|
Grilled red meats, powerful
game stew and mature strong cheese
Body, flavors and
aromas are of very good level. On consequence Ambassador is a very nice product
to be tasted and appreciated calmly. From my personal point of view its best
point remains that persistent sensation of warm that really makes you thinking
of Africa and her landscapes; sat on my chair in France I could enjoy a glass
of this wine remembering life and experiences of my visits to Tanzania. Simply
amazing!
Official website: www.cetawico.com
No comments:
Post a Comment