What I Learned
The Monferrato has a long tradition of wine-making, pre-dating even the Romans. As the famous Roman naturalist, Pliny the Elder noted, the Romans greatly appreciated the wine coming from the Muscat grape cultivated in the Monferrato as a varietal resistant to cold weather.
The rise of Christianity and establishment of monastic organizations ensured that even after the fall of the Roman Empire, and especially after the barbarian invasions, the production of wine would continue in the Monferrato up until today.
Today, the Monferrato is one of the Piedmont wine region districts. The DOC (Denominazione di Origine Controllata) quality system in the Monferrato recognizes various unique varietals and some interesting wine production techniques. The wines from here are not only high quality overall, but also indigenous to this area in some cases.
Several international varietals such as Chardonnay, Merlot, Pinot Nero, and Muscat grow here; as well as Piedmont favorites such as Nebbiolo and Barbera. Then there are the lesser-known, but equally delicious Monferrato varietals. Grignolino, Freisa, and Malvasia Nero are the local red varietals. Cortese and Loazzolo are two local white varietals. Except for the Loazzolo which is often blended into a cuvee, these grapes can be produced as varietal wines for a different tasting experience unique to the land they come from, the Monferrato. The several DOC wines from these grapes include:
The Barbera del Monferrato DOC: A rich, intensely ruby-colored and flavored, dry, red wine;
The Monferrato Freisa DOC: A lively, dry red wine with raspberry and floral notes;
The Grignolino del Monferrato Casalese DOC: A uniquely Monferrato dry red wine with interesting pepper notes;
The Malvasia di Casorzo DOC: Another unique red wine with floral notes, and rather low alcohol, ideal for dessert courses;
The Piemonte Cortese DOC: A traditional dry white wine in the Piedmont, it has interesting almond notes.
What I Tasted
2014 Freisa, Monferrato Freisa DOC, Marco Botto (Sala Monferrato): A dry red wine with dark purple-red color; raspberry nose and raspberry and floral flavor notes; medium light tannins; surprisingly dry given the overall sweet nose.
2014 Grignolino del Monferrato Casalese, DOC, Gaudio (Vignale Monferrato): A dry red wine with light ruby red color; a slight redberry and spice nose, cherry and vanilla flavors; medium tannins.
2014 Barbera del Monferrato, La Covata, DOC, Marco Botto (Sala Monferrato): A dry red wine with deep purple color; a floral and spice nose, and floral and spice flavors; strong tannins; still a young wine with aging potential.
2013 Barbera del Monferrato, Bric dal But, DOC, Marco Botto: A dry red wine with medium brick red color; cherry nose, and cherry, smoke and sharp spicy flavors; medium-high tannins.
2013 Barbera del Monferrato Superiore, DOCG, Le Cave, Societa Agricola Castello di Uviglie (Rosignano Monferrato): A dry red wine with dark ruby red color; cherry and oak nose, cherry flavor with slight spice note; medium but smooth tannins.