Chiusa G.

CHIUSA GRANDE - Certified Organic Farm HISTORY OF THE COMPANY AND "VINOSOPHIA" Farm founded in 1991 by the will of FRANCO D'EUSANIO, Doctor of Agricultural Sciences, consultant for years of cellars and fervent supporter of the "organic philosophy", so much so that it defines itself as: "philosopher of wine" and "bio-innovator". Synthesis of love of nature dictated by ethical reasons, oriented towards the rediscovery of tradition and the balance of the ecosystem. The Chiusa Grande organic farm is located in Abruzzo, in Nocciano, in the province of Pescara, where winding hills close to the Majella and Gran Sasso d'Italia massifs frame 70 hectares of vines planted on clay and sandy soils. The microclimate, characterized by significant temperature differences between day and night, gives the grapes unique and optimal qualities for winemaking. The company's varied wine heritage benefits from this. On the one hand, the natives of Montepulciano d'Abruzzo, Trebbiano d'Abruzzo and Pecorino; on the other, the non-native Chardonnay, Pinot Grigio, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. "We cannot decide to switch to organic farming solely for logics linked to positioning on the market - as Franco D'Eusanio often repeats - at the base there must be a solid conviction and a way of life consistent with the choice made. We must understand that an agriculture using the exasperated use of chemistry will lead us to a dead end. I believe that one can make a good wine without being a slave to profit, taking care of the psychophysical well-being of those who drink. You always have to be right, even when it's not convenient." From these premises, in the mid-90s, Chiusa Grande began the process of converting from conventional to organic farming in accordance with the sector's regulations, Regulation 2092/91. Since then, the adopted production system has imposed strict criteria, as ONE OF THE MOST CERTIFIED COMPANIES IN EUROPE IS CLOSED. ANNOVE CERTIFICATIONS: BIO, AIAB, ISO 9001, ISO 14001 FOR THE ENVIRONMENT, ISO 14064 FOR CO2 EMISSIONS INTO THE ENVIRONMENT, KOSHER, NOP-USDA. The arduous and meticulous work begins from the vines, with the control of fertilization, pruning, the use of natural pesticides and other precautions; in this way, the grapes produced are healthy and rich in vitamin and protein elements. In the transformation phase, hyperoxygenation is used and not reduction. The reduction protects the must and wine from oxygen, but paradoxically the finished product will fear oxygen and after opening the bottle the pleasant organoleptic sensations will flatten over the minutes. Instead, working in oxygenation, all possible components are oxidized before fermentation, resulting in a more stable wine, without high acidity and will improve its characteristics over the minutes. It is important to highlight the levels of sulphur dioxide. Community rules provide for the use of this additive up to 150 mg/l for red wines and 200 mg/l for white wines. In organic farming these parameters fall to 100 mg/l and 150 mg/l. For the Aiab specifications, to which the organic company of Nocciano has adhered, the reference parameters are respectively 60 mg / l and 80mg / l. Sulfur is a preservative and antiseptic, but it binds chemically where oxygen could, so it modifies the wine. The level of sulfur present in a wine affects its color, tannins, polyphenols and many other parameters. The search to minimize the use of chemical components has led the company to create even a range of wines without added sulphites, but also able to preserve themselves over time: the wines of the Natura range. Among the last "creatures" of Chiusa Grande are the wines of the in Petra stone, vinified in the pietranico stone; the indigenous line Vinosophia and D'Eus, the first organic sparkling wine of classic method in Abruzzo. Vinified in two versions, white and rosé, it was conceived as a tribute to the nonconformist thinker Gabriele D'Annunzio, on the occasion of the 150th anniversary of his birth. D'Eus represents the challenge and summarizes the coherence of the company "vinosophia", in which converge the sustainability of the production process, the pleasure of taste and accessibility. Chiusa Grande wines are aimed at those who seek a sustainable organoleptic seduction and share the lifestyle inherent in the company's perspective. About 85% of the 600,000 bottles produced go abroad (USA, Germany, Japan, United Kingdom and Sweden), the rest is destined for the Italian market. Since 2011, the company has begun a process of expanding the domestic market. THE "VINOSOPHIA" "For me wines are born from the head, each of my wines comes from a philosophical approach. I conceive the wine in my head, I think about the emotion that it will have to transmit to me and then I move on to the production phase itself.