# Garda Cabernet 'Ribò' (NV)

- **Producer:** Cantina Ricchi
- **Colour:** red
- **Type:** still
- **Grapes:** Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc
- **Region:** Lombardia, Italy
- **Style:** Classic
- **Alcohol:** 13.5%
- **Average price:** €15
- **Contains sulphites:** Yes
- **When to drink:** Now or Later
- **Serving temperature:** 16–18 °C
- **Aromas & flavours:** blackcurrant, blackberry, plum, bell pepper, black pepper, violet, vanilla, cedar, charred wood, leather, tobacco, forest floor

## About this wine

Cantina Ricchi, run by the Stefanoni family, is nestled in the morainic hills of Lake Garda in Monzambano, Lombardy. This family-owned estate focuses on expressing the unique microclimate of the Garda DOC, where glacial soils and tempering lake breezes create ideal conditions for international varieties like Cabernet. 'Ribò' represents a harmonious expression of this terroir, combining traditional dedication with modern agronomic practices to craft a structured yet highly approachable red wine.

## Interesting facts

- The Stefanoni family has been cultivating vines in the morainic hills of Monzambano for over three generations.
- The unique microclimate of Lake Garda provides a Mediterranean-like warmth, allowing Cabernet grapes to ripen perfectly in northern Italy.
- The morainic soils of the estate are rich in gravel and clay, deposited by ancient glaciers, giving the wine its distinct mineral backbone.

## Food pairing

The structured tannins and vibrant acidity of this Cabernet blend require rich, protein-heavy dishes to soften the mouthfeel. Savory roasted meats, rich reductions, and aged cheeses complement the wine's dark fruit profile and herbal undertones perfectly.

## Wine making process

The Cabernet grapes are harvested at optimal phenolic ripeness. Fermentation takes place in temperature-controlled stainless steel tanks with extended maceration on the skins to extract color, structure, and fine tannins. The wine is then aged in a combination of stainless steel and oak barrels to refine its texture while preserving the vibrant primary fruit characteristics before bottling.