Rivetti Mossimo Langhe Arneis Aurelia

Rivetti Mossimo Langhe Arneis Aurelia is a 100% Arneis white wine from Piedmont, Italy, bottled at approximately 13% ABV in a standard 750ml format. What distinguishes this expression is its origin from a heroic vineyard situated above 500 meters elevation on slopes exceeding 30%, where all work must be done by hand — mechanization is simply not possible.

Quick Facts: ABV: ~13%  |  Origin: Langhe, Piedmont, Italy  |  Varietal: 100% Arneis  |  Producer: Massimo Rivetti, Neive

Production & Heritage

Massimo Rivetti is based in Neive, in the Cuneo province of Piedmont — a commune better known for Barbaresco but home to a handful of producers committed to Arneis at uncommon altitudes. The Aurelia bottling comes from one of the highest vineyard plots in the area, above 500 meters, where steep gradients demand entirely manual viticulture. Grapes are harvested in the coolest early morning hours and immediately preserved with dry ice, then undergo a one-day cryo-maceration at 0°C before fermentation. The wine rests on its lees for six months, building texture and complexity without masking the grape's inherent freshness.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: The nose opens with ripe pear and nectarine before shifting into delicate floral tones — think flowering herbs and a trace of lilac. A subtle citrus lift threads through, keeping the aromatics bright and inviting.

Taste: On entry, yellow stone fruit and melon coat the palate with a gentle, rounded texture courtesy of the extended lees aging. At mid-palate, a pronounced minerality emerges, reflecting the high-altitude vineyard soils. The fruit stays focused and clean, never veering into tropical excess.

Finish: Medium in length, the finish carries a signature Arneis calling card: a fine, slightly bitter almond note that provides structure and a dry close. Lingering citrus peel and mineral freshness round it out.

How to Drink the Aurelia Arneis

Serve well-chilled between 8–10°C to let the mineral backbone and citrus aromatics shine. This is a wine that rewards attentive sipping on its own but holds up nicely in food-driven settings. For a Spritz, the Aurelia's minerality and almond finish add more depth than a standard Pinot Grigio base. In a White Negroni riff using dry vermouth, its herbal-floral profile integrates seamlessly. It also works as the wine component in a classic Hugo Cocktail, where its pear and elderflower-adjacent notes complement the traditional flavors.

Best For

• Pairing with a multi-course Italian seafood dinner
• Introducing someone to Arneis as a sophisticated alternative to Pinot Grigio
• Warm-weather aperitivo drinking on a terrace
• Gifting to a wine enthusiast who values small-production, terroir-driven whites

Frequently Asked Questions

What does the Aurelia Arneis taste like? It delivers ripe pear, nectarine, and melon fruit supported by a pronounced mineral streak and a distinctive, slightly bitter almond note on the finish. The extended lees aging gives it a rounded, creamy mid-palate that sets it apart from simpler Arneis bottlings.

How does the Aurelia Arneis compare to Pinot Grigio? Arneis is frequently described as a more sophisticated alternative to Pinot Grigio, and this bottling reinforces that distinction with its lees-driven texture and mineral complexity. Where most Pinot Grigios aim for light, clean neutrality, the Aurelia offers more aromatic depth, stone fruit richness, and a structured almond finish.

Is the Aurelia Arneis good for sipping on its own? Absolutely — the six months of lees contact provide enough weight and texture to hold interest without food. Serve it well-chilled for the best expression of its citrus and mineral character.

Where is the Aurelia Arneis made? It is produced by Massimo Rivetti, located in Neive within the Cuneo province of Piedmont, Italy. The grapes come from a high-altitude vineyard in the Langhe at over 500 meters elevation.

What foods pair well with the Aurelia Arneis? Vitello tonnato is a classic Piedmontese match, as the wine's acidity and almond finish cut through the creaminess of the tuna sauce. Raw crudo or ceviche highlights the citrus and mineral notes. Risotto with fresh herbs mirrors the wine's floral aromatics. Light goat cheese salads complement the pear and melon fruit. Grilled white fish with a lemon-butter sauce echoes the wine's citrus backbone.

What sizes does the Aurelia Arneis come in? The standard bottling is available in 750ml format.

Is the Aurelia Arneis worth the price? It positions as a small-production, terroir-specific white that goes well beyond entry-level Arneis. The heroic vineyard site, manual harvest with dry ice preservation, cryo-maceration, and six months of lees aging represent a level of care that justifies its place in the mid-premium tier for Langhe whites.

Why the Aurelia Arneis?

The defining story here is altitude and effort. Few Arneis vineyards sit above 500 meters on slopes too steep for machinery, and the resulting grapes carry a mineral intensity that flatland plantings rarely achieve. Massimo Rivetti's decision to harvest at dawn with dry ice — effectively locking in freshness before the fruit ever reaches the winery — is an uncommon commitment for a white wine at this level. Combined with cryo-maceration and a half-year on lees, the Aurelia delivers a textural richness and aromatic complexity that make a compelling case for Arneis as far more than just an easy-drinking Piedmontese white.