The name Mater Matuta derives from that of the ancient Italic goddess of the dawn, protectress of fertility and birth. Her cult extended throughout central Italy and the famous temple of the ancient city of Satricum, situated close to Le Ferriere in the Province of Latina, was dedicated to her.
The Company:
Casale del Giglio has always been motivated by the desire to produce top quality, fairly-priced wines in a swathe of land, the Agro Pontino, little known until recently for its viticutural potential. Fascinated by the Agro Pontino, Dino Santarelli founded the company there, in the village of Le Ferriere. This was in 1967 and the beginning of what was to become a far-reaching research and experimentation programme when he was joined by his son Antonio and the talented winemaker, Paolo Tiefenthaler.
The aim of the programme, conducted on 180 acres of vineyard, has been, and still is, twofold: first to favour those cultivars which, by their nature and through targeted management, have proved to interact most successfully with the soil and climate of the territory; second to rediscover and restore the status of native vines once thought to be obsolete, such as Biancolella di Ponza, Bellone di Anzio, Cesanese di Olevano Romano and Pecorino di Accumoli. Casale del Giglio currently offers a range of twenty-five products – ten white wines, one rosé, nine reds, one passito, three grappas and an extra virgin olive oil.
Grape: Syrah 85%, Petit Verdot 15%.
Vinification: The grapes are harvested when fully ripe (the Syrah may even be slightly shriveled) and vinified in different ways. The submerged cap technique is favoured for the Syrah which ferments on native yeasts for 18-20 days. During the first few days of this process the fermenting must is racked and returned (the process of délestage) several times.
Punching down is the technique adopted for the Petit Verdot as this approach guarantees an optimal extraction of the grape’s tannins and polyphenolic compounds. It is the resulting full-bodied Petit Verdot which gives Mater Matuta its long aging potential while the Syrah gives it its complexity of character, highlighted by smooth tannins and an intense aroma of black cherry and spice. After 22-24 months aging in oak the wines are blended and left undisturbed in the bottle for a further 10-12 months.
Tasting Notes: A deep, dense, ruby-red wine which displays outstanding personality both on the nose and on the palate with its aroma of coffee beans, violets, ripe black cherry, coriander, nutmeg and cinnamon. Silky and seductive, but perfectly supported by fine tannins and a pleasing astringency, Mater Matuta delivers a long, lush finish.
Alcohol content: 14%.
Paring: Perfect with elaborate meat dishes or grilled.
