Red wines of Monferrato: Character, strength, and tradition

·        THE BARBERA D’ASTI

We are talking about a grape variety of which we had the first historical appearance in 1512. It is a prevalent grape variety and very characterized among Monferrato wines. Barbera del Monferrato wine is a little bit different from Barbera d’Alba. Barbera d’Asti, especially in the Superiore type, is an intense Monferrato wine with a flavor that persists, balanced both as soft flavors and hard notes. But still capable of freshness that makes it unique and unrepeatable. Typical wine of Asti and Monferrato for a company or to drink alone over dinner all to celebrate ourselves. Yes, even if red or important, it reminds me of a celebration!

·         GRIGNOLINO

It makes me happy to think that grignolino comes from the verb “grignè,” which means to laugh in Piedmontese. Yes, because it always manages to put me in a good mood! On the other hand, some claim that the name comes from grape seeds, grignole in Piedmontese… I leave it up to you to decide! I will tell you that this beautiful and tasty wine is described as red wine Monferrato, ruby red, bright, the perfume of violet, geranium, berries, especially raspberry and blackberry, cherry, and plum. Fresh and pleasant to sip, with a VIVACious and slightly unripe but pleasant note. What to say? A must-try!

·          RUCHÈ

Native grape variety, ancient. The name is a mystery. But we care about the flavor! And here, I guarantee, there are no mysteries. A red wine from Monferrato, Ruchè was born to be paired with local dishes, aged cheeses, or main meat courses

with intense flavors. It is a wine with characteristics that make it suitable for surprising marriages with words from other regions and traditions. This is one of the reasons why it is achieving excellent results in the world. Juicy, soft, deep, fragrant: thus, it becomes an ideal match for foods rich in aromas and spices, such as ginger, and thus also to dishes typical of oriental cuisines, or too spicy dishes and, to break the “rules,” to tuna dishes. Ruchè’s versatility in pairings makes it a wine to try.

·         FREISA

Ancient grape variety again. Autochthonous to Piedmont. Known since the 1500s. We also find it in the Langhe area, but it originates in the Asti area. It is among the red wines of Monferrato that deserves to be discovered. A garnet red color, not particularly intense. After years of vinification in the sparkling form, used by farmers as an everyday wine, it gained considerable recognition when people began to make it in the still version. It is a wine that could be described as an all-meal wine, but it finds an excellent place with charcuterie boards and first courses with meat sauce. It has a fruity hint but is not prevalent. It is also a perfect everyday wine. In the evening, after work, in the company, engage in small talk: it slows you down and invites you to share.

THE WHITE WINES OF MONFERRATO

• TIMORASSO

This grape variety grows in the lands of Derthona, near Tortona in the Tortonese hills. Do you know what Derthona means? It is the ancient name for Tortona in Latin. Well, in this area, Timorasso is grown after decades since its disappearance. It was abandoned because of its low yield and then gave way to Cortese or barbera. Fortunately, towards the end of the 1980s, a famous producer in the area began to vinify it in purity to revive it. He was joined by other winemakers who brought Timorasso back among the great white wines of Piedmont.

Its citrus and mineral notes are reminiscent of a sauvignon or riesling from northern Europe.

• CORTESE

“Cortese di Gavi” or “Gavi” is a white wine from the province of Alessandria and, more specifically, from the town of Gavi! Cortese is the name of the grape variety from which this wine comes and is considered one of Piedmont’s most excellent white wines. It was among the first Piedmontese white wines to become known abroad because of its history and adaptability.

The name of this Monferrato white wine is not accidental, but it had been called Cortese as early as the 1700s because it precisely showed a noble, gallant and cordial character. The Cortese wine of Monferrato Gavi DOCG can be either still or sparkling, as well as classic method sparkling wine. There are 11 countries where Gavi is produced (the same number as Barolo).

• STREVI

Strevi is a small village of 2000 inhabitants, 7 km from Acqui Terme. We are therefore located in the Alto Monferrato. Strevi DOC is part of the passiti wines made from Monferrato wines. This passito wine is obtained by drying Moscato Bianco grapes in the sun. It’s aging and refinement period is up to two years.

Muscat I will tell you about it in this article: I didn’t like Muscat Wine!