Monferrato and Grignolino - Piedmont
eside Barolo now is time for Monferrato and Grignolino. If you are addicted to the red wines of Piedmont, you must try a peculiar and ancient variety called Grignolino produced in the south of Piedmont, in a portion of the region well known as ”Basso Monferrato”. First of all, when we talk about this grapes, we must split out the productions: there are wines produced in Asti area and Alessandria. The area of ”casalese” covers the area around the last village mentioned where the terroir is a sort magic environment kissed by a peculiar clime influenced by the Alps and the sea, essential conditions in which the hills are located between 120 and 350 metres. In the centre of the area, there is the village of Vignale Monferrato. Others important points of wines production are Ozzano, near the Po river, Osignano, Gabiano and Cella monte.
All the area, millions of years ago, was covered by the sea, the maritime sandstone today is a visual testimony of the evolution of the planet.
Likewise, the Langhe region also Monferrato since 2014, has been declared part of UNESCO. A World Heritage Site where the wine has always been appreciated by Casa Savoia because of its elegant colour, red but so charming and clear that we can even see across it. As a Pinot Noir, the power is showing up in the mouth where the tannins involve the palate, the endurance of the body is captive and gives back the voice of the soil rich of marls. The presence of rocks called ”Pietra Cantone” helps to preserve the hills from the erosion. Among 17 and 14 million years ago, the Pietra da Cantoni sea deepened and its sediments became more clayey-marly. These layers, from which valuable cantons were extracted for construction or were excavated to obtain numerous infernots, testify that the more recent Pietra da Cantoni sea was rich in calcareous plankton and fish, the minerals of these rocks are seen on green clay. These features of the soil are seen in the natural cellar called, as said, infernot - where wines ageing. The result is a sip which texture is power sapid with impressive tannins in the young version.
Among Castles, hills and infernots, the Consorzio Colline del Monferrato Casalese gathers 73 wineries protecting the denominations of Grignolino del Monferrato Casalese Doc, Barbera del Monferrato Superiore Docg, Rubino di Cantavenna Doc e Gabiano Doc produced in 35 villages. Recently it set up a wine blind taste among wine critics and wine makers in order the raise the awareness of this terroir.
This institutional moment has been and authoritative confrontation that seals an important starting point for the Monferrato Casalese territory which beliefs in the quality of Grignolino and above all in the ageing potential. More flavorful and rich in aromas expressions in young wines while more elegant and austere those aged in the wood. A meeting with the wines, rather than with the producers, that the consortium strongly wanted before starting with a program of events and projects aimed at promoting this part of Monferrato. The moment chosen is not accidental, “After a long wait, we finally managed to organize the first of a long series of tastings and useful initiatives to design an effective communication strategy for our territory and our grapes. Here they are not produced are Grignolino but also Barbera, but surely now it is up to focus on this noble and historic vine. The moment is difficult but we are sure that in the future interest in Grignolino will grow more and more and therefore today we have to study effective strategies. ” - stated the director of the consortium Franco Angelini.
Nowadays the production is around 400 thousand bottle but we firmly believe it is destined to rise over.
Best wineries to try: Accornero, Angelini Paolo, Castello di Gabiano, Castello di Uviglie and Hic et Nunc.