Supplier Story: TAVA Ceramic Amphora used on Langhe White & Bordeaux Red

maria9750
Sep 4
3 min read

Updated: Sep 10

As harvest inches closer or has even begun for some, there are always some last minute decisions to be made, regarding changes in yields, vineyards or plans and interest in last minute vessels or what is in stock.

In this spirit, Bouchard Cooperages wants to share the collaboration between TAVA ceramic amphora and two important producers in Barolo's Serralunga d'Alba and Bordeaux's Saint-Émilion. The 320L and 750L TAVA vessels that both producers work with are available in our Napa warehouse for any pre harvest last minute requests.

Tava, Trentino, Italy

Located in Mori Trentino Italy, since 2010 Tava has been crafting technical ceramic amphora for winemaking. Produced from a patented mixture of local clay, the ceramic amphora are fired at a temperature that results in a consistent 5% porosity, the same on new oak barrels. There is an option of a firing temperature that results in a 2.5% porosity for whites and lighter reds that would benefit from a slower micro-oxidation too. The classic ceramic amphora are available in 320L, 750L and 1,600L. New this year are the Tava grés Monolite which is also a 2.5% porosity material and available in 1,250L and 2,500L.

Ettore Germano - Serralunga D'Alba - Piemonte

The Germano's started growing grapes in 1856 and now third generation Sergio Germano and his wife Elena work 10 hectares of estate fruit in the heart of Barolo and 9 hectares of white varietals in Alta Langa. The small family estate represents a reference point in terms of quality via meticulous sustainable vineyard practices, massal selection, manual labour, high vine density which translates to incredibly elegant and feminin expressions of nebbiolo. However, Sergio's passion for sparkling and white varietals lead to vineyard investments in Alta Langa.

Barolo Bastion & Passion for Langhe Nascetta

In Alta Langa, Sergio first planted international white varietals including chardonnay and riesling. But these were not unique to the area so Sergio also included the autochthonous white Nascetta varietal. Although crispy and mineral, aromatically, Nascetta is very shy which lead Sergio to macerate and ferment the varietal on skins before aging in 320L and 750L Tava ceramic amphora for 6 months. The 5% porosity of the ceramic allows for micro-oxidation similar to a barrel but with out any oak or toast impact and for the rounding out of tannins from the limited skin contact.

Château Larmande - Saint-Émilion - Bordeaux

The AG2R-La Mondiale Groupe has heavily invested in Bordeaux's right bank in it's medieval flagship town of Saint-Émilion. Here, the group owns: Château Petit Faurie de Soutard, Château Soutard, Château Grand Faurie la Rose and Château Larmande which is a Grand Cru Classé. The Châteaux's top wine, Saint-Émilion Grand Cru is 65% Merlot, 35% Cabernet Franc and 5% Cabernet Sauvignon. Since 2018, the Châteaux has incorporated Tava Ceramic Amphora with 5% porosity into their top wine due to their technical and enological interest but they do admit they also look beautiful in the cellar.

Tava 320L & 720L in 15% of the blend

Winemaker Véronique Corporandy incorporated Tava ceramic amphora into her winemaking because of their micro oxidation properties which according to her help open the wines while keeping freshness and they polish the tannins differently than oak. They also integrate inside her final blend which includes 60% new oak barrels in a more complex and holistic way over her neutral barrels or stainless steel tanks. With a smile, Véronique also mentions they are not ugly and they compliment the estate from an eno-tourism perspective but first and foremost, they remain a winemaking tool.