Wines are created in many ways and from various types of grapes. Some of the most unique types of wine come from Italy’s underwater vineyards.
So-called wine experts can tell the differences in wine flavors and textures from around the world. Whether it’s a flavor that was created because of a particular year or the fertile soil that grapes are grown in that’s only found in one region, many wines have stories. In recent years, the area of Sardinia has become popular for wine that’s aged underwater and comes from the first of many underwater wine cellars in the area.
Going deep for wine
A special kind of wine is created and aged under the sea. This wine is called Akenta Sub, and it’s a sparking wine produced from Vermentino grapes that are grown in Alghero, which is part of the Italian countryside that faces the sea. This is some of the best lands on the island for growing grapes, but that’s not where the story ends.
Once the wine is produced using the Charmat method, Akenta Sub is left to mature in the sea at depths of 30 to 40 meters. This wine spends 6-12 months at this depth, allowing it to transform into Akenta Sub.
An incredible aging process
The aging process for this wine is much different from most aging processes, and it adheres to precise sustainability criteria to create depth and complexity in the wine that aficionados are sure to enjoy. Part of the beauty of this process is the uniqueness of each bottle. The nature of the seabed allows each one to be a work of art and naturally become adorned with marine encrustations that allow it to be different from others. Italy’s underwater vineyard creates natural works of art simply by existing to age the wine under the salt water.
Becoming a big hit
The underwater aging process was unique to Akenta Sub, but in 2019, this wine was the start of an event that involved an underwater tasting. This was to honor the location where the wine was aged before sale.
Celebrating this unique wine with a special tasting event was one thing, but the emergency of the Underwater Cellar, which takes place on one day every year, has become a spectacle. Since 2016, the emergence of this cellar, featuring divers, technicians, and a helicopter, has drawn a huge crowd from all over the area. This one day is now called Akenta Day in the area, honoring the uniqueness of the wine that’s aged under the water.
What makes aging wine underwater special?
Italy’s underwater vineyard is growing, and several wineries in the country are turning to at least one vintage that’s aged under the ocean. Those who feel this method is ideal for aging wine point to several factors that help make the wine special. Some of these are:
- Constant temperature
- Total absence of light and oxygen
- Movement of currents and waves
- Total protection from the moon’s phases
In addition to the factors at play to make the wine unique and special, the sublime bottles that are created give a custom look that collectors can admire, with a sea-encrusted bottle taking center stage in their wine cellars.
Are there other wines aged under the sea?
There are several wines aged under the sea, and Italy isn’t the only country involved in this process. Here are a few vineyards using this method for some of their wines.
Bisson
Bisson makes Liguria, which is a wine that’s aged on the seabed off the coast of Porto Fino. This began in 2009 and continues to this day. This began with 6500 bottles of Charmat classic spumante bottles that were submerged to 60 meres for 26 months. This successful experiment continues to be utilized by Bisson.
Tenuta Del Paguro Di Brisighella Estate
This vineyard makes Emilia Romagna and uses a special aging method but in a slightly different way. They drop their wines to the depth of a sunken oil rig platform that sits off the coast of Ravenna. The oil rig platform sank in 1965 and serves as the perfect location for these wines to be aged or 6-12 months.
Gaia Wines
Gaia Wines has created an incredibly special cellar of the coast of Santorini. The wines that are aged there are called Thalassitis and made from Assyrtico grapes. Bottles of this win are placed at a depth of 25 meters and left there for five years to age to perfection.
Italy’s underwater vineyard has become a huge hit and a place where wine is aged to perfection. Many coastal vineyards in Europe have begun to utilize the natural elements of the sea to age their wines.
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