Fa affinamento in acciaio inox?

Does it age in stainless steel?

Pronunciation

'Affinamento' — stress on 'af-fi-na-MÈN-to'. Five syllables.

When to use it

Ask when you want to understand if the wine was aged in neutral stainless steel tanks rather than oak barrels.

What it means

'Affinamento' = aging/refinement. 'Acciaio inox' = stainless steel. Steel aging gives wines with bright acidity and fresh fruit — typical of Pinot Grigio, Soave, Vermentino.

Variations

È affinato in cemento?

Is it aged in concrete?

Concrete tanks are traditional and increasingly fashionable

Usa anfore di terracotta?

Does it use terracotta amphorae?

Ancient vessel method now used in natural wines

Non passa in legno?

Does it not go through wood?

Confirms the absence of oak aging

Mini Dialogue

— Fa affinamento in acciaio inox? — Sì, solo acciaio. Vogliamo preservare la freschezza del Pinot Grigio. — Si sente davvero, è molto floreale e agrumato. — Esatto. Il legno coprirebbe questi profumi delicati.

— Does it age in stainless steel? — Yes, only steel. We want to preserve the freshness of the Pinot Grigio. — You can really taste it — it's very floral and citrusy. — Exactly. Wood would cover these delicate aromas.

Cultural Note

Pioneers like Giorgio Grai championed steel for whites in the 1960s, revolutionising the freshness of Italian white wine. Today the best Soave, Verdicchio, and Pinot Grigio are almost all steel-aged.

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È un po' troppo tannico per i miei gusti.

Ha una buona persistenza aromatica.

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