Piemonte & monferrato

Monferrato is a small district in the central Piemonte, in northwest Italy. bisected by the Tanaro River. The region is steeply hilly, especially in its southern part on the flanks of the Ligurian Alps. The district is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and is known for both its wines primarily from the Barbera grape.

The name derives from the Latin Mons Ferratus, although the etymology of ferratus is uncertain. Settled the Ligures, then conquered by the Romans, the district was known for agriculture and also for a bit of gold mining in the sands of the local rivers. After the fall of the Empire in the late 400’s, the district was incorporated into the Lombard Kingdom, then the Carolingian Empire and then the Holy Roman Empire, and was elevated to a Margravate in 961. Its ruling family had important connections to both the Emperors and to the French royal family, and eventually passed through the Duchy of Savoy into the Kingdom of Italy in the 19th Century.

climate and terroir

The region is divided into three sections: the Basso Monferrato to the north (yellowish), is more gently rolling and influenced by its position beween the Po and Tanaro Rivers. Monferrato Astigiano (Astesan Montferrat, center, brown), the central region is hillier and includes the towns of Nizza Monferrato, Cortanze, Cocconato, Montiglio and Canelli. Asti is the geographical heart of this region. The highest point of the area is the hill of Albugnano at about 1810ft above sea level. Alto Monferrato (high Montferrat, bottom, tan), extending south from the Val Bormida up to the Ligurian Alps, is the highest part of the district. The main centre is the ancient Roman spa city of Acqui Terme.

The climate is dry continental with hot summers prone to drought and cold winters. The soils are largely marine limestones and evaporite deposits.

Monferrato is considered to be the point of origin for the Barbera grape, with records of its cultivation dating back to the 12th Century. Other grapes grown in the region include Dolcetto, Freisa, Grignolino, Malvasia and Moscato. The area is also famed for its production of Piedmontese white truffles.

seiterre

Founded in 1877 by Gian Batista Rizzi, Seiterre is a family firm that now owns a total of nine superb wine estates throughout northern Italy. Today, 4th-generation brothers Luigino and Claudo Rizzi manage these holdings, including the Tenuta Montebello; located on the highest part of a hill overlooking the left bank of the Orba river in Rocca Grimalda, a medieval town in the province of Alessandria. Its 52 acres are planted to Dolcetto, Barbera and Cortese.

The vineyards planted on clay/limestone soils are farmed with minimal intervention. The estate is in organic conversion with certification expected in the next several years.

The Wine

We carry one wine from this estate- their superb Barbera del Monferrato, grown near the top of the hill where the estate stands. Limestone soils, long days and cool nights provide great ripeness with excellent balance and acidity, and a Barbera designed to age well for a decade or so. Vinified in stainless and aged in oak, the wine is velvety and rich- perfect with the region’s white truffles!