Corvée was a French term used in the Middle-Ages to describe the activities and work of the Vassals, who would work on the land of superiors for free in return of shelter and protection; this is how 400 Km of terraced cultivations originated in Val di Cembria. Today, local wine producers sharing the same core values use the term Corvée in name of a project that concentrates on the production of high quality Trentino D.O.C. wines with the particular focus on sustainability. Each wine produced displays the name of their vineyard on the label. The Passocroce vineyard is a place of choice for the cultivation of Lagrein as it enjoys a happy south-eastern exposure; the soil is slightly sandy, with good clay, originating from lateral Moorish deposits following the disintegration of the local porphids, favouring a natural advance of ripening of the grapes. After a manual harvest towards the end of September, the wine is left to refine on the lees in steel tanks followed by ageing in 225lt French oak barrels for 18 months, plus a further 6 months of bottle ageing before release. This Lagrein Passocroce is a structured and elegant wine with a ruby red colour, with scents of forest fruit accompanied by hints of star anise, cocoa and tobacco. Allowing for further ageing, the wine will enhance with aromas reminiscent of violet, some lilac and even sage.
