Appia Antica 400 (2022) - Tenuta Principe Alberico
The name "Appia Antica 400" refers to the historic Roman road that crosses the area where the vineyards of Tenuta Principe Alberico lie, a winery that combines tradition and innovation in its wine production.
Appia Antica 400 (2022) - Tenuta Principe Alberico
Type: Vino Bianco
Area: Italy, Lazio, Via Appia Antica
Appellation: Lazio Bianco IGT
Grape variety: Sémillon, Malvasia Puntinata
Vintage: 2022
Winery: Tenuta Principe Alberico
Alcohol: 13
The appellation: Lazio Bianco IGT
Lazio Bianco IGT is an appellation that celebrates the winegrowing diversity and richness of Lazio, a region with a thousand-year tradition in the production of white wines. This Indicazione Geografica Tipica allows the use of a wide range of grape varieties, both indigenous and international, letting producers express their creativity and bring out the particular features of the area.
Find out more about Lazio Bianco IGTWhat to eat with Appia Antica 400
Who makes it: Tenuta Principe Alberico
Tenuta Principe Alberico is one of the most fascinating estates in Lazio, in the countryside around Rome. The winery has noble origins, linked to the figure of Prince Alberico Boncompagni Ludovisi, who after the Second World War decided to convert the estate to organic viticulture, anticipating modern sustainability practices by decades. Today, the estate carries this philosophy forward with a natural, artisan approach, producing wines of extraordinary finesse, which combine tradition with modernity.
Find out more about Tenuta Principe AlbericoThe vine of Appia Antica 400
Sémillon
Sémillon is a white grape variety of French origin, known for its versatility and its ability to produce a wide range of wines, from fresh dry whites to the famous botrytised sweet wines such as those of Sauternes. Grown mainly in France, it is also found in Australia, South Africa and other fine wine areas, where it continues to stand out for its elegance and complexity.
Find out moreMalvasia Puntinata
Malvasia Puntinata is a white grape variety of the Malvasia family, native to Lazio and renowned for its ability to produce fresh, aromatic wines of great elegance. The name comes from the small spots or "dots" on the skins of the berries, which give the variety a unique recognisability. This grape stands out for its versatility, giving rise to dry, sweet and sparkling wines, always marked by pronounced aromatics and pleasant freshness.
Find out moreAppia Antica 400: the terroir of the Via Appia Antica
Via Appia Antica
The Via Appia Antica, known as the "Regina Viarum", is one of the oldest and most important Roman roads, a historic and cultural symbol of the Lazio area. Begun in 312 BC, it linked Rome to Brindisi, crossing a vast area of hills, plains and vineyards. Today, the stretch near Rome is a favourite destination for lovers of history, nature and food and wine, thanks to the presence of ancient archaeological sites, nature parks and outstanding wineries.
Find out more about Via Appia AnticaClimate: Mediterranean
Altitude: Low to mid altitude (200–500 m above sea level)
Soil: Volcanic
Geographical setting: Hilly
Profile of Appia Antica 400
Primary aromas: White flowers, citrus, tropical fruit
Secondary aromas: Honey, almond
Tertiary aromas: Delicate spices, flint
Tasting notes: Elegant and intense, with lively freshness and a well-balanced aromatic weave. The fruity and floral notes blend with a pleasant minerality, typical of the volcanic terroir. A long, persistent finish.
| Sulphites | yes |
| Body | Enveloping |
| Acidity | High |
| Tannin | No |
| Sweetness | Dry |
| Finish | Long |
| Colour | Straw yellow with pale green highlights |
| Clarity | Clear |
| Body | Medium |
Winemaking methods used for Appia Antica 400
Hand harvesting
Hand harvesting is a traditional, painstaking approach to picking, where bunches are selected and cut by hand straight from the vine. Compared with machine harvesting it allows far closer attention to quality, since only the best bunches are chosen and the fruit is not damaged.
Find out moreMalolactic fermentation
Malolactic fermentation is a fundamental process in winemaking, particularly used for quality white, red and sparkling wines. This method plays a key role in determining the flavour and aromatic profile of many wines, helping to make them softer, more complex and suited to long ageing.
Find out moreSoft pressing
Soft pressing is a gentle winemaking technique, used to extract the must from the grapes with the least possible pressure. This method makes it possible to obtain a high-quality must, free of excessive phenolic or tannic substances, ideal for producing elegant white, rosé and red wines.
Find out moreTemperature-controlled fermentation in stainless steel
Temperature-controlled fermentation in stainless steel is a technique that makes it possible to produce fresh, fruity, clean wines, preserving the varietal aromas of the grapes at their best.
Find out moreStatic settling
Static settling is a natural clarification technique used mainly in the making of white and rosé wines, but sometimes for red wines too, to separate the solid particles suspended in the must or wine without the use of chemical agents or mechanical filtration.
Find out moreAgeing methods used for Appia Antica 400
In stainless steel (1–6 months)
Ageing in stainless steel for 1 to 6 months is a winemaking practice widely used for young, fresh, varietal wines, aimed at preserving the aromatic fragrance and gustatory integrity of the wine immediately after fermentation. This choice allows the wine to be stabilised, to settle naturally and to be ready for drinking within a few months, retaining vitality, tension and precision.
Find out moreIn bottle (1–6 months)
Ageing in bottle for 1 to 6 months is a final but fundamental stage in the development of a wine. During this period, the wine – already stabilised and bottled – continues to mature away from oxygen, developing greater harmony between its components. It is a very widespread practice for wines that have completed their ageing in stainless steel or wood and that need a minimum settling time to reach the right balance before going on sale.
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