Austo, Merlot Appassimento 2023

Austo Merlot Appassimento 2023 is a rich, warming Italian red made from Merlot grapes that are partially dried using the traditional appassimento method. This technique concentrates the fruit, colour and sugars, creating a generous, full-bodied wine with a softly sweet impression and a smooth, approachable character. Produced in Emilia-Romagna, it is a comforting style made for relaxed evenings and hearty meals.

Tasting Notes
Deep ruby red in the glass, the wine opens with inviting aromas of ripe cherries and blackberries, followed by notes of plum jam, chocolate, sweet spices and a delicate touch of vanilla. The palate is full and rounded, with soft tannins, gentle acidity and a velvety texture. Concentrated ripe fruit and a subtle sweetness lead into a long, lingering finish. Austo Merlot Appassimento is designed to be enjoyed for its immediate richness and generous fruit. It can be enjoyed now and should be at its best over the next few years when stored in a cool, dark place.

Production
The Merlot grapes are harvested late and partially dried on straw mats or in crates, allowing water to evaporate and concentrating the grapes’ aromas, colour and sugars. The concentrated fruit then undergoes a slow fermentation, followed by maturation in tanks and/or oak. This process helps create the wine’s soft texture, rich fruit character and easy-drinking style.

Food & Serving
Serve this full-bodied Merlot with slow-cooked stews, braised beef, grilled or roasted meats, sausages and mature hard cheeses. Its ripe fruit and gentle sweetness also make it a natural match for barbecue dishes and richly seasoned sauces. Serve slightly cool, at around 16–18°C. Decanting is not essential, but 20–30 minutes in a decanter can help open the wine and soften its aromas further.

We deliver within 2 - 6 business days. You can choose whether it should be to a parcel shop or home delivery. Free delivery to both parcel shops and your front door. Our store partners primarily use GLS, DPD, UPS and DHL for deliveries. We cover deliveries to the majority of countries in Europe.