In the glass
Aroma: white peach, apricot, elderflower, honey
Palate: nectarine, candied citrus peel, ripe pear, fine mineral
A single-hill Cartizze grand cru expression from the Stecca parcel, with richer fruit, honeyed florality and greater complexity than the standard Rustico, yet retaining the hallmark lightness of the hill.
What it pairs with
-
Fruit tart
Off-dry profile and floral notes harmonise with fruit-based pastry without clashing. -
Seared scallops
Sweetness of the wine amplifies the natural sweetness of seared shellfish. -
Venetian creamed cod (baccala mantecato)
Rich olive oil texture of the cod is lifted by the wine's effervescence and fruit.
How to serve Nino Franco Grave di Stecca Valdobbiadene Superiore di Cartizze
Allow 5 minutes from open to pour.
- Open and pour. Open and pour directly. No decanting required for this style.
- Serve at 6-8°C. Cellar temperature (6-8°C) is the band for this style. Warmer pushes alcohol forward; colder dampens aromatics.
- Glassware. Use a tulip flute , the bowl shape rewards the wine's structure.
- Pair with. Fruit tart, Seared scallops, Venetian creamed cod (baccala mantecato). Match the wine's structure to the dish's fat and salt.
History
The Cartizze hill is a 107-hectare grand cru within the Valdobbiadene DOCG. Nino Franco has held plots on the Stecca parcel since the 1980s. Grave di Stecca, meaning 'stony ground of Stecca', references the rocky south-facing terraces. It is one of the house's most prestigious single-site expressions.
- 1983 — Nino Franco first releases Grave di Stecca as a single-vineyard Cartizze expression.
Facts
- Producer
- Nino Franco
- Grapes
- Glera
- Classification
- Valdobbiadene Superiore di Cartizze DOCG
- Oak
- No oak; stainless steel Charmat
- ABV
- 11.5%
- Price
- EUR 35-50 at retail
- Drinking window
- 1-4 from vintage
- First vintage
- 1983
Frequently asked about Nino Franco Grave di Stecca Valdobbiadene Superiore di Cartizze
What does Nino Franco Grave di Stecca Valdobbiadene Superiore di Cartizze taste like?
On the nose, white peach, apricot, elderflower, honey. On the palate, nectarine, candied citrus peel, ripe pear, fine mineral. Structurally light-bodied, high acidity with a long and floral finish. A single-hill Cartizze grand cru expression from the Stecca parcel, with richer fruit, honeyed florality and greater complexity than the standard Rustico, yet retaining the hallmark lightness of the hill.
When should I drink Nino Franco Grave di Stecca Valdobbiadene Superiore di Cartizze?
Drink 1-4 from vintage. Young vintages benefit from 30-90 minutes of decanting; mature bottles should be handled carefully for sediment.
What food pairs with Nino Franco Grave di Stecca Valdobbiadene Superiore di Cartizze?
Fruit tart is the canonical pairing. Other strong matches include Seared scallops and Venetian creamed cod (baccala mantecato). Off-dry profile and floral notes harmonise with fruit-based pastry without clashing.
What grapes are in Nino Franco Grave di Stecca Valdobbiadene Superiore di Cartizze?
The blend is Glera. The wine is classified as Valdobbiadene Superiore di Cartizze DOCG.