- The first new wine of the Covid era arrives with a production that, according to Coldiretti estimates, stands at 3.5 million bottles, a volume which, despite being in decline, establishes the Italian world record and the victory, in the challenge between the vineyards, with France.
The permission to uncork it takes effect nationally from tomorrow, 30 October, in full anti-coronavirus curfew and therefore with convivial occasions for the toast reduced to a flicker.
Novello, recalls the agricultural organization, is the wine with an alcohol content of around 11 degrees that has always sanctioned the start of visits to the cellars and of the initiatives to promote the world of Made in Italy vineyards and bottles - which overall is worth about 11 billion euros - but this year, Coldiretti underlines, "risks being heavily penalized by the coronavirus emergency with the latest Dpcm which bans festivals and fairs, reviews and meetings and limits the restaurant business".
However, the taste remains for the combination with chestnuts, mushrooms, cold cuts and cheeses.
The tricolor "déblocage", highlights Coldiretti, arrives three weeks earlier than the competitor Beaujolais nouveau in France, which can only be tasted starting from November 19, 2020. In France, the novello was born in the Beaujolais area with the winemakers premises that exploit the less valuable Gamay grapes of southern Burgundy to obtain Beaujolais nouveau.
The Italian production has always been based on Doc and Igt quality grapes.
"Ten years ago the production peak - concludes Coldiretti - with 17 million bottles. This autumn drinking ritual has then carved out a stable niche for consumption with approximately 3.5 million bottles a year.