Why did Perlage choose the Rigogolo as the ‘mascot’ of its organic wine?
Perlage has been producing organic wines since 1985 and has always paid close attention to sustainability issues. A healthy territory for Perlage is synonymous with life. Indicative of an area that ‘is well’ is the presence of a rich fauna. Therefore, in the hope that it will soon return to delight us with its song, the shy Golden Oriole appears on the packaging of our organic wines.
Characteristics of the Golden Oriole
The Golden Oriole, a solitary and secretive bird belongs to the oriole family. Its homeland is the equatorial forest environment but at breeding time it leaves those areas to reach our latitudes to build its nest and raise its offspring, giving us the pleasure of its song. A habituary, for nesting it occupies the bed made in previous years.
The male Golden Oriole has an unmistakable appearance: yellow body, black wings and tail with two yellow side spots, black reins, and reddish beak and iris.
Its song is very distinctive, a fluty, modulated whistle. Although this bird likes to hide, its easily recognizable song reveals its presence. Its habitat, in our latitudes consists of deciduous groves, alternating tall hedges and open spaces, clearings, orchards and cultivated areas, possibly located near waterways.
For Perlage is the ‘Comparepiero’
For those who, like Perlage, are involved in organic farming, the link with the land and its tradition is very close.
For Perlage, the Rigogolo has always been the ‘Comparepiero‘. In local peasant tradition, the tale about the ‘Comparepiero’ is passed down from generation to generation. The name refers to the sounds of its song but especially to the fact that it kept company. On hot days in the summer months, when all other birds were silent, the song of the oriole came to bring company and relief to the farmer working in the vineyard. Imagination then led the winemaker to imagine a dialogue with the Rigogolo to deceive time and fatigue: ‘Comparepiero ei fati i fighi?’ Tender dialect phrase that echoes the onomatopoeia of his song.
Unfortunately, over time this little bird has disappeared from our areas, and the causes are mainly due to the use of chemicals that have intoxicated its food chain.
Perlage’s choice to produce organic wines also stems from this. From the desire for an area that is healthy and welcoming to wildlife, the desire to have the ‘Comparepiero’ return to the beautiful Prosecco hills of Conegliano Valdobbiadene as soon as possible.
