1,215 vineyards, both in Italy and abroad, were monitored all through 2022 according to the Bigot Index, +481 than in 2021. The scientific method takes into consideration multiple factors that affect directly a wine's quality: production, exposed leaves' surface (SFE – Superficie Foliare Esposta), the ratio between leaves and production (SFE/kg), grapes' health, grape variety, the grape bunch's shape, hydro-stress, strength, biodiversity and microorganisms, the vineyard's age.
This year, over 70 vineyards scored 90/100 points or more, and they almost doubled compared to 2022: they'll be awarded at Vinitaly directly by Bigot. It was an unexpected, good result considering the fact that in 2022 temperatures in Italy kept registering over 35° for long periods (+75% than the average in the last 10 years), causing serious water-related issues across the country. And yet, vineyards' health was preserved and a considerable amount of them hit high quality levels.
«This year's scores are the result of winemakers' efforts and expertise – said Giovanni Bigot – Men have the power to take the right decisions when faced with climatic issues and the Indice Bigot, which is used all through the year, is an efficient device guiding towards the final goal, and helping to choose the best way to achieve it. Only by monitoring the available data and through specific, agronomic choices a high quality is attainable for both vineyards and wines. Wine tastings shortly after the grape-harvest confirmed the good outcome beforehand».
A vineyard in Valtellina, Lumbardy, scored the highest points, 94/100: it's vigneto Inferno – Nebbiolo Cartello of Aldo Rainoldi's winemaker. An overall 25 winemakers scored more than 90/100 and the best performing one among them, with a total high-ranking six vineyards, is from Friuli Venezia Giulia: Ferruccio Sgubin, in the Collio hills, with itsChardonnay Mirnik (91), Chardonnay Petruss Restocina (92), Merlot Mirnik (90), Sauvignon vecchio Petrus (90), Schioppettino Lonzano basso (93), Tocai friulano Petruss Restocina (91).
Being Friulian, Giovanni Bigot succeeded in convincing many Friulian winemakers to adopt his method, and it actually paid off as many vineyards in the region scored 90 or more.
Here's the full list of Friuli Venezia Giulia's vineyards that topped the highest rankings:
Antico Broilo: Malvasia fiume (91)
La Castellada: Tokaj Dolinca (92
La Sclusa: Picolit Casa Banchine (90
Le Vigne di Zamò with three vineyards: Pignolo Rosazzo (91), Pinot Bianco Leon (92), Sauvignon Leon (92)
Livio Felluga: Refosco Peduncolo Rosso Case (90)
Radikon: Sauvignon Klanjšček (92
Russiz Superiore: Sauvignon lungo strada (90), Sauvignon Punta (92)
Sturm: Tocai Bert (91)
Subida di Monte: Sauvignon Vigna Luigi (91)
Many vineyards reached a high level abroad, too, and some of them are in the neighbouring Slovenia, like Marjan Simčič who grows his grapes in the Brda area, on the border between Slovenia and Friuli, and ranked four vineyards in the top list: Chardonnay Oblino Pod Gredič (91), Merlot Trobno (90), Sauvignon Jordano basso (92), Sauvignon Oblino Pod Gredič(90).
Also from Slovenia is Korenika & Moškon with three vineyards: Beli Pinot Vala (90), Istrska Malvazija Bankina (90), Istrska Malvazija Vala (90). Other vineyards awarded are from France (Domaine Bouley) and Macedonia (Tikveš).
About Perleuve
Giovanni Bigot founded Perleuve back in 2012, a wine consulting company centered on vineyards, with a multidisciplinary approach. It's a team of agronomists and wine experts whose aim is enhancing wines' quality through a deeper care and understanding of vineyard's health. Besides developing the Bigot Index or Indice Bigot, they also launched the app 4Grapes, an operative tool enabling the monitoring of vineyards and the collecting of data. Bigot also started in 2020 the Academy 4Grapes, the first Italian academy for specialists in vineyards' monitoring.