When we tell the story of Grignolino, we emphasize the peasant origin because here, in Monferrato, in these vineyards, it is was among the first grapes to be cultivated. Indeed, it was the quintessential Piedmontese wine, made for daily drinking.
The Grignolino is an autochthonous vine native to the hilly region delimitated by the cities of Casale Monferrato and Asti. It is not an easy variety to work with and the resulting wine has a level of tannin that seems to contrast with the color and bouquet.
Even the vinification in the production phase is complex but it pays off with an original wine, characteristic and unpredictable, able to fascinate for its properties and the taste that for certain aspects could remind the Pinot Noir.
The organoleptic profile of Ruber – Grignolino d’Asti shows the traits of the easy wine, very versatile in terms of gastronomic pairing, with a discreet palatal volume, a tannin present but not aggressive, a finish rightly dry, with a good fruity match to the notes perceived in the initial olfactory analysis.
Then tannin is the key to interpretation and discovery of Ruber, the Grignolino d’Asti in Tenuta Montemagno style.
The tasting way of Ruber, cultivated and vinified in Tenuta Montemagno, it starts from the vineyards that have an average age of over 30 years, using Guyot training system and south, south-west exposure. The soil is calcareous clayey with marl rich in silt and alkaline pH, with strong water retention.
All the work in the vineyard is carried out manually and the cultivation system is eco-sustainable, always according to the philosophy of Tenuta Montemagno that puts the grapes and its peculiarities first.
During the harvest, as soon as the bunches of Grignolino are brought into the cellar in small boxes, the destemming and pressing phases begin, followed by fermentation and short maceration for a light extraction of tannins. Fermentation takes place at a controlled temperature of 22 º C. degrees.
The careful process of vinification and fermentation, which in our cellar is carried out with technological processes of the highest level, ensures the very low sulphites contents and this incredible wine color, that enchants the visual analysis with a bright red, which inspired the name Ruber.
The enchanting color is well supported by the bouquet that gives notes of dried rose, wild strawberry and wild berries: a scent reminiscent of the undergrowth. The other surprise is to the palate: a tannin present but not aggressive, light that leads to a finish in which the olfactory notes are combined with structure and gustatory persistence.
Ruber is the fresh, contemporary and qualitative interpretation of Grignolino d’Asti. A wine of identity and pleasantness, versatility and character, with tannin that becomes caress to the palate and balance in the glass.
https://blog.tenutamontemagno.it/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/uva_header.jpg12801920Rossana Gullihttps://blog.tenutamontemagno.it/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/tm-relais.pngRossana Gulli2021-08-04 19:30:322021-08-04 19:30:34Ruber: the Grignolino d’Asti and the delicacy of tannin
Monferrato is a rather large area, mainly hilly in nature, almost within the provinces of Asti and Alessandria. Its territory is divided into three distinct areas: Basso Monferrato, Monferrato Astigiano (where Tenuta Montemagno is located) and Alto Monferrato.
The whole area is full of places to visit of historical, artistic and, of course, eno-gastronomic interest. Talking about territory also means being an integral part of it, knowing it and promoting it. It is precisely for this reason that in Tenuta Montemagno Relais & Wines we decided to give life to an initiative to spread the discovery of Monferrato, creating routes to be explored easily and on a day, taking advantage of the favorable position of the Estate, for those who wish, as a place of departure and arrival.
These are itineraries in which we provide some suggestions on places to visit, but which are not to be considered exhaustive for everything you can see or do in the places indicated. We leave to the spirit of those who want to follow our suggestions stick only to what is described in the articles, or push their curiosity over the hill on the horizon. We then begin with the first itinerary that develops along a path of about 35 Km. touching the main villages of the area surrounding the estate.
For each of the places indicated, we have provided some historical indications, on the particularities to see and on the specialties to “taste”.
We hope that this initiative will be appreciated and we invite those who will do this and the next paths, to take photographs, maybe close to the places indicated in the article and to publish them on social channels with the hashtag #tenutamontemagno#DiscoverMonferrato
Have a good trip!
Itinerary:
Montemagno
Casorzo
Grazzano Badoglio
Altavilla
Viarigi
Total km:
35 Km. circa. Approx.
Timing:
1,5 h by car/motorcycle
Suggested modes of transport:
Car
Motorcycle
Bicycle
MONTEMAGNO
We start from the village from which the estate takes its name: Montemagno.
Looking at the view from the cellar court or the pool, the village is exactly to the southwest. Easily recognizable also from several km away, thanks to the crenellation of the ancient walls, the burg of Montemagno can be reached in a few minutes by car.
Historical background
In Montemagno there is an imposing castle built in the 10th century. It is one of the best preserved castles in the province of Asti, now private property. The structure can be visited on request through the portal of the municipality of Montemagno.
The medieval layout of the village, characteristic of some of the most picturesque villages of Lower Monferrato, is still visible today. The first fortification then became the imposing castle crowned by Ghibelline battlements, from which radiate, from the remains of the walls, twelve alleys to draw the “old fence” of Montemagno. Each of the twelve alleys is indicated by Alley I, Alley II…. And constitute the old town.
From here
You reach Piazza San Martino dominated by the Church of the Assumption and the majestic staircase with three terraces, in baroque style, which recalls the design of the famous staircase of Piazza di Spagna in Rome.
Picture origin & property by Pastificio Baracco (https://pastificiobaracco.it/)
Specialties
After visiting the center of Montemagno, it is a must to make a stop at the Pastificio Baracco, where they produce fresh pasta, pastry and condiments that are distributed daily throughout Piedmont. Do not miss the famous Agnolotti Monferrini (to try with white sauce), so Pastificio Baracco is known throughout northern Italy.
Pastificio Baracco
Via Casale 32, Montemagno
Phone +39 014163329
pastificiobaracco.it
Typical cuisine
The restaurant La Braja offers typical regional cuisine and Monferrina, linked to the historical traditions of the place. The capacity of the room, in the garden area, is about 60 seats.
Ristorante La Braja
Via San Giovanni Bosco 11, Montemagno
Phone: +39 0141653925
CASORZO
From Montemagno we move towards Casorzo, through the village of Grana on a road that allows you to enjoy the panoramic view of the Hills of the Marquisate and the villages with an evocative itinerary of historical, artistic, landscape and, of course, food and wine.
Historical background
The origins of Casorzo go back a long time. The settlement and the nucleus of the Casorzese population have origins that date back to the Celtic era, when some cheese makers, called by Plinius – latin author and naturalist, Casurciulli, they came together for defense reasons to the high ground that took their name: Casurcium or Casurtium.
In the centre of the village you can visit the baroque parish church of San Vincenzo Martire, built in 1730 and situated in a dominant position on the site of the now disappeared castle. The churchyard houses a majestic horse chestnut bicentenary (among the monumental trees of Piedmont), portrayed in a picture preserved inside the church.
Places of interest
Picture origin by Mezzopieno News (https://mezzopieno-news.tumblr.com/post/173475498826/il-ciliegio-nato-sopra-il-gelso-la-natura)
A must-visit is the Bialbero of Casorzo, a rare example of cherry grown on top of a mulberry tree. Both plants are alive and enjoy excellent health so much that every year they give a wonderful flowering diversified.
It’s an excellent panoramic area surrounded by the hills of Monferrato, with tables and benches, perfect for a picnic, a break in the shade of the particular tree, or why not, for a different aperitif than usual with a pleasant glass of TM Brut 24 sparkling rosé.
Casorzo is also known for giving its name to the DOC appellation of a Malvasia: the Malvasia di Casorzo.
A native grape variety grown in a very limited area of the territory that encompasses five municipalities in total. Tenuta Montemagno is included in this territory and, in fact, we produce three sweet wines from this grape variety (Dulcem, Nectar and TM Roses), and the grappa Argentum XLV.
If you want to breathe the aromatic and delicate hints of this precious wine, we recommend four steps in the picturesque vineyards surrounding Casorzo.
GRAZZANO BADOGLIO
Historical background
Taking the panoramic road of the Marchesato Hills in Casorzo and proceeding northwards, you reach the village of Grazzano Badoglio. Here, in 961, the ancient Aleramica Abbey was founded by the first Marquis of Monferrato, Aleramo. The building, now the seat of a parish in the village is of particular architectural importance. Of the first building are still visible the Romanesque bell tower, the porch of the old parish house with balcony, the cloister, now renovated and restored to its ancient splendor and finally the octagonal apse.
Another site of historical interest is the tomb of Aleramo I.
Legend says that Ottone I, Emperor of the Holy Roman Empire, granted Aleramo as much territory as he had achieved to ride it in three days and three nights: this territory corresponds to Monferrato and the name derives from the words “mun” – brick and “frà” to shoe, that is the bricks used to shoe the horses that Aleramo rode.
Places of interest
Grazzano Badoglio is home to one of the giant benches of the Big Bench art project. The initiative, born in 2010 from an idea of the American designer Chris Bangle, aims to support the local communities, tourism and artisan excellence of the villages where these off-scale installations are located.There are numerous giant benches in Piedmont and Monferrato.
The giant benches in Grazzano Badoglio, has a decided red color and was inaugurated in July 2020 and is located in the district Cornaleto.
Typical cuisine
The restaurant Il Bagatto is a destination to taste typical dishes, especially the main course and the Piedmontese “fritto Misto” – a recipe of sweet and salty ingredients, meat and sauces all fried, and other dishes of the regional cuisine.
Ristorante Il Bagatto
Piazza Cotti 17, Grazzano Badoglio
Phone +39 0141925110
ALTAVILLA MONFERRATO
Historical background
Taking the road and going eastwards, in sequence, the provincial roads 30b, 42, 30 and 52, you reach Altavilla Monferrato, another village of this strip of territory. It is home to the Mazzetti d’Altavilla distillery, a company named after the Mazzetti family, founded 175 years ago and known nationally and internationally for its distillates.
The distillery can be visited (reservations are recommended) and is a recommended stop for lovers of grappa and liqueurs, but also for those who want to taste sweets and fragrant foods with the precious distillates of the company, or try the beauty creams with essences of grappa.
Mazzetti d’Altavilla
Viale Unità D’Italia 2, Altavilla Monferrato
Phone +39 0142926147
VIARIGI
Historical Background
We continue our journey towards the last stage: Viarigi. It is located between Altavilla and Montemagno. The village is “clinging” to the hill and the houses and roads adapt to this feature, with stairs, galleries, steep bends, walls. Once the tramway used to pass here and to think about it today one hardly believes. From 1900 to 1935, in fact, this part of Asti was connected by rail.
Twenty-four kilometers of interurban line connected the city of Asti to Altavilla Monferrato and then continue the journey to the most important terminus of Casale Monferrato and Alessandria. The penultimate stop of this incredible stretch was Viarigi, a small village in Asti of just 800 inhabitants.
Deda84, CC BY-SA 4.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0>, via Wikimedia Commons
The symbol of Viarigi is the Torre dei Segnali – Tower of Signals, of medieval origin, which dominates the village and the surrounding territory from above. Built around 1320, the tower is part of a network of defense and communication, based on a system of towers and points clearly visible from the surrounding hills (including Montemagno, Grana, Casorzo, Grazzano, Moncalvo and Rinco, to the north, Vignale, Camagna, Lu, San Salvatore to the south). The story says that in the past the inhabitants were advised in case of dangers or invasion with signals from the top of the tower, made using the fire and the mirrors.
The Torre dei Segnali is open every last Sunday of the month from April to October and has undergone numerous wall interventions over the centuries.
From its top you can enjoy the breathtaking view over the entire territory of Monferrato and Tenuta Montemagno that stands out from the hill in front.
After visiting the tower, returning to Tenuta Montemagno is a path simple and charming, since the route can be done between countryside paths or along the provincial road for a handful of kilometers.
Legends and tales
The patron saint of Viarigi is Saint Agatha to which is dedicated the main church of the village where we can admire on the churchyard the statue of Blessed Priest Luigi Variaria, a Salesian missionary in South America and a great music enthusiast. Around Saint Agatha is wrapped one of the two popular legends of this country. Taking the Sentiero Cerola starting from the nearby Fubine you can go in search of the place where the Saint was probably buried. According to the popular narrative, Saint Agatha had several brothers and sisters. For each of them were built small churches and chapels.
In Viarigi, however, you will also hear about the “Magnetisà” and a particular priest who in the middle of the 800 made a lot of talk of himself ending up being condemned for heresy and removed from the community along with a mysterious Red Madonna. According to the beliefs Don Antonio Grignaschi, in addition to being a charismatic and good-looking man was able to move the hearts of his faithful thanks to a magnetizing fluid contained in a ring. For more than a hundred years we have tried to silence this story, but someone still tells it.
Monferrato is a land of emotions and history, so we hope that this little tour was as pleasant as exciting for all those who wanted to discover it.
The idea of naming the wines of own production with Latin names was born in Tiziano Barea, Tenuta Montemagno’s owner, from the desire to emphasize the identity, history, tradition but above all, to connote the great evocative force.
The Timorasso, already fascinating for its history, its typicality and its character, becomes among the white wines of Tenuta Montemagno assortment, what best represents the Sun Force – Solis Vis:
For its color – light straw yellow with golden nuances and greenish hints
For its expressive power
For its unique identity
Then, it becomes THE white, among the white wines.
In this part of Monferrato, in Montemagno, formed by gentle hills characterized by marl, at an altitude of 260 meters above sea level, the Timorasso finds a fertile soil and suitable for cultivation also for the high mineral and saline content, legacy of the presence of the sea of millions of years ago.
The exposure of the vineyards south/south-west, the vine’s cultivation system in guyot, the limited yield per hectare, manual processing and treatments in respect of the environment, ensure the quality in the vineyard. In the cellar, the production process involves the vinification in white, with soft pressing of the grapes and subsequent fermentation in stainless steel, where the wine ages on the lees for a few months. After bottling, Solis Vis ages in bottle for some time.
Solis Vis is a wine of character, identity and out of the chorus of whites, for its marked mineral notes, for its structure and body, for its persistence.
The vintage that we have available is 2020: what a surprise and what a charm!
The harvest opened at the beginning of September about a week earlier than the historical average.
The values of the sugar gradations and the acidity levels have proved to be on average lower than in the past, but have remained stable in the wine making thus ensuring an extreme balance between the two components, fundamental result for this type of wine.
Solis Vis 2020 has a bouquet of ample floral notes, of acacia honey, hawtorn that, gently and slowly evolve and give space to the minerality typical fo Timorasso grape, enriched by th ehints of flinstone, which is the most distinctive fragrance of this wine. In the mouth it maintains freshness and sapidity, well balanced by moderate acidity. The palate is pleasing, persistent and rich, allowing the perception of all the typical gustatory notes of the grape.
The TM production method guarantees the low sulphite content of 89 mg/l..
This is Tenuta Montemagno’s interpretation of Timorasso: the autochthonous vine that is so unique as to be called the Barolo of whites, so authentic that it does not compromise with its own identity.
It is contemporary, innovative and, above all, international.
Solis Vis is a win/win wine. Always.
https://blog.tenutamontemagno.it/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/TM_vigna_Timorasso.jpg12801920Rossana Gullihttps://blog.tenutamontemagno.it/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/tm-relais.pngRossana Gulli2021-05-31 12:15:052021-05-31 12:15:07SOLIS VIS: the Sun Force
Solis Vis, the wine made with Timorasso grape by Tenuta Montemagno, year after year gains worldwide medals and prizes as the confirmation of the careful work in the vineyards, conducted by the agronomist Maurizio Cerrato and the meticulous vinification process under the supervision of Gianfranco Cordero, the enologist, in cellar.
The appreciation of the peculiarities of this wine expressed by the fans and also the critics is the proof that Tenuta Montemagno went for the right choice to cultivate this rare and challenging grape in this corner of Monferrato. The consumers discover this wine especially for its versatility with the food pairings, that are unusual and astonishing.
The menu of the restaurant “La Civetta sul Comò”, located in the elegant Torre salon of Tenuta Montemagno, proposes recipes that are able to valorize our wines’ production and to lead you in a complete immersion of the Monferrato’s tastes and perfumes.
Among the innovative recipes of the executive chef Giampiero Vento, we suggest to try as starter the fish dish of Palamita in carpione (marinated), with green sauce and crispy salted almonds.
The Palamita is a fish of the Mediterranean Sea – “Mare Nostrum”, very rich of Omega3; the meat is very tasty, softened by the carpionatura and enhanced by the scent of almonds.
The minerality typical of the Solis Vis exalts this fusion of tastes and its important structure enhances the savor of this sea fish in carpione.
Another great pairing , maybe more classic but always appreciated, is together with the Vitello Tonnato – veal in tuna mayonnaise, reinterpreted by the Chef.
Searching among the first dishes, another crossing food combination is with a pasta seasoned according to the Southern Italian regions ingredients: spaghetti with roasted tomatoes, Shrimp Mazarese and buffalo cream.
The bouquet, the elegance and the firm structure of our Timorasso perfectly boost every single ingredient, balancing the traits, the long lasting on the palate and inviting for the another sip.
The summer season is approaching and our journey of taste can be inaugurated by a recipe that reminds us the seaside scents, the sunshine, the beaches: Salted cod in cooking oil, citrus fruit and bell pepper in sweet and sour.
A dip in the colors and flavors of our peninsula, greatly represented by the Timorasso colors’ flag: the straw yellow of the grape and green wax seal on the Solis Vis label.
Solis Vis, Monferrato Bianco D.O.C., Timorasso in purity: a white wine with a red wine soul.
https://blog.tenutamontemagno.it/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/header_solisvis_B2C.jpg12801920Rossana Gullihttps://blog.tenutamontemagno.it/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/tm-relais.pngRossana Gulli2021-05-17 12:15:042021-05-19 10:55:14Solis Vis, the Piedmontese white wine with the character of a red
9 Tenuta Montemagno labels have just received Two Glasses by Gambero Rosso, the most important Italian wine guide. Adding the 3 other wines that received the One Glass recognition, were 12 the Tenuta Montemagno products that received an award. 12 wines on a total of 14 wines produced by the winery – an evidence that our work, guided by our enologist Gianfranco Cordero, is proceeding on the path to success.
After only 10 years from the first wine production, Tenuta Montemagno is now one of the best Italian winery, both in important red wine from Piedmont, like Barolo Soranus 2012, and the most classical wines from Monferrato district. Awarded reds are Mysterium 2014, Barbera d’Asti Superiore, Ruchè di Castagnole Monferrato 2016 and Violae 2016. Also our whites wines Musae, Nymphae 2016, Solis Vis 2015 and won Two Glasses and TM Brut 24 months.
https://blog.tenutamontemagno.it/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Header_articolo_premia2020.jpg6401920paolohttps://blog.tenutamontemagno.it/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/tm-relais.pngpaolo2021-03-18 13:38:312021-05-01 14:57:28Gambero Rosso 2018: two glasses for nine labels
Barbera d’Asti is the identity of Tenuta Montemagno, wine producers in the heart of Monferrato. Actually, Barbera is the variety that most of all tells the story of Tenuta Montemagno, through its 80 years old vineyards, planted on clay and limestone soil with slightly silty marls, Western facing.
Our Metodo Classico are made from Barbera grapes harvested early, hand picking and with a careful grapes selection.
The Barbera is a versatile and charming variety, capable of being the protagonist: the TM24 and TM36 Brut, are both another expression of its potential. They are sparkling wines born from the synergy of intuition and innovation. The idea to have the Metodo Classico of 100% Barbera that refines on yeasts for 24 (TM24) and 36 months (TM36) is astonishing.
The perlage of TM Brut 24 is elegant and fine; the bouquet is intense, delicate and generous, notes of yeast and delicate hints of crusty bread, overtones of freshly picked flowers and wild berries. On the palate it is fresh, lively and sapid, with an excellent underlying acidity and clearly expressed minerality. The finish presents light notes of wild plum and currants. Therefore, the peculiar traits of Barbera – bouquet and acidity, are well present almost as if weaving the warp on which the other sensations intertwine.
TM Brut 24 has been rated 92 point by Wine Enthusiast, one of the most eminent international wine magazine.
If the TM Brut 24 is “unexpected” because of its structure, color and pleasantness, the Tm Brut 36 is surprising and unique, enough to be awarded with the Gold Medal – category Sparkling Rosé, in the International wine Competition The Global Sparkling Masters 2020.
The bouquet reveals an intense fragrance, delicate and generous. Notes of yeast and crusty bread, overtones of freshly picked flowers and wild berries. On the palate, it is fresh, lively and savoury, excellent underlying acidity with clearly expressed minerality and a light finish of wild plum and currants.
In this sparkling too, the characteristics of the variety are the texture on which the other perfumes and aromas are waived on. TM24 and TM36 both are the example of how the Barbera grape is a precious and versatile grape, a storyteller of the region. In these sparkling, tradition and innovation are perfectly combined and we can say that TM24 and TM36 are a great examples of wine that becomes sparkling and then, comes back to wine.
https://blog.tenutamontemagno.it/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Targa-Barbera.jpg12801920paolohttps://blog.tenutamontemagno.it/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/tm-relais.pngpaolo2021-03-18 13:31:122021-03-18 13:31:12TM Brut: the Barbera grape becomes sparkling
The branch that connects the King of Piedmontese wines to the Roman Empire, has its roots in the family tree of the Barea family, owner of Tenuta Montemagno. Barolo Soranus, indeed, owes its name to Quinto Marcio Barea Sorano, proconsul in Asia at the time of Emperor Nero between the years 50 and 60 BC.
Actually, the origin of Nebbiolo grape, from which Barolo wine is produced, are even more ancient and are lost in history of the ancient Rome. The first reports have been registered by Plinio il Vecchio, ancient latin writer, in his “Naturalis Historia” – the history of nature, where it celebrates the wine splendor of a grape grown on the hills of Novara. Other notes have been found in the book written by Columella, author of 1 AC – “De Re Rustica” – on the agriculture, which is considered the most complete treaty about the agriculture in the ancient times.
The Nebbiolo needs a specific terroir and it is very sensitive to atmospheric changes and to the soil composition.
The Barolo was born in the heart of the Langhe, in 11 municipalities located in an area of rare beauty, recognized in 2014 as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Among these 11 municipalities, the largest is certainly that of La Morra, where the vines from which we produce our Barolo Soranus are cultivated.
The choice of the vineyards in La Morra municipality, reflects the will of Tenuta Montemagno to create wines with great character, outstanding, and characterized by pleasantness and softness, elegance and finesse, the richness of the bouquet and the complexity. All elements that we find in the Nebbiolo cultivated in this part of the Langhe and due to the characteristics of the Tortonian area of the hills of La Morra, with a marly/limestone soil, in which the roots of the vineyards have more than 40 years.
Like all Tenuta Montemagno wines, also for our Barolo, the harvest is strictly manual to preserve the bunches condition until the cellar for the starts up of the wine making process. The fermentation takes about 20 days, followed by long periods of aging in wood barrels for at least 24 months.
The result is an extremely balanced Barolo, in which the typical characteristics of Nebbiolo grape from La Morra are well present. The color is brilliant garnet red, with light carmine highlights. The bouquet is generous and intense, with light touches of vanilla, licorice, ancient spices, black pepper, cherries and wild berries.On the palate is full, layered, almost opulent in its power, rich but harmonious with the right balance of tannin and a sweet, lingering finish.
The choice to vinify the selected grapes only from the best vintages is our fundamental value: the Soranus 2013 has been prized with Gold Medal at DWWA – Decanter World Wine Award and at The Wine Hunter; the vintage 2015 gained another Gold Medal at Mundus Vini International Wine Competition.
Piedmont and the Langhe, as well as Monferrato, are the areas where the wine is accompanied by two excellent and well-known products: the hazelnuts – Nocciola Piemonte igp Tonda Gentile and the white truffle, precious and valuable.
The ideal food pairing for the Barolo are the traditional recipes of Piedmont: the egg pasta, handmade Tajarin, with truffle, agnolotti with meat sauce, arrosti or brasati. An intriguing and tasty pairing is the Soranus with dark chocolate…
Giampiero Vento, Chef Executive of “La Civettà sul comò” restaurant will create for you gourmet dishes to combine with our Soranus.
A great suggestion is Tajarin with truffle or roast sauce.
https://blog.tenutamontemagno.it/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/Header-soranus-magazine-feb2021.jpg9621440paolohttps://blog.tenutamontemagno.it/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/tm-relais.pngpaolo2021-03-18 12:52:222021-06-01 10:35:30Soranus: the Barolo of Tenuta Montemagno
Native vines: the great biodiversity of the grape varieties in the heart of Monferrato
Let’s start a journey with Tiziano Barea, Tenuta Montemagno’s owner, in the world of Piedmont native vines: Grignolino, Ruchè, Timorasso, Barbera d’Asti and Malvasia di Casorzo. There’s a corner in the Monferrato area – the land of UNESCO heritage “infernot” – where a few native vine varieties find a home. Those grapes are the base of great wines, which are enhanced and made famous in the world thanks to Tenuta Montemagno, Barea family’s winery. Tenuta Montemagno is located on the gentle hills of Monferrato at the 45th parallel, an area particularly suited to the cultivation of vines since ancient times.
“Tenuta Montemagno philosophy has always been the enhancement of Monferrato native vines. Our philosophy means strengthening the territory, our identity and heritage at the same time” explains Tiziano Barea, owner of the family winery. The great biodiversity of the grape varieties present on these hills has ancient roots in this territory.
Here in the heart of Monferrato, we find Ruchè, Grignolino, Malvasia, Timorasso and Barbera d’Asti. “On these varieties Tenuta Montemagno has based its production philosophy which, combined with highly technological winemaking techniques, has made our wines an example of quality and innovation” continues Tiziano Barea. “Our TM method is developed through the following aspects: limited productions, careful defoliation of the vineyard to allow proper ventilation of the selected and hand-picked bunches; a second selection, strictly manual, precedes the mechanical de-stemming phase and the subsequent fermentation, carried out exclusively with selected noble yeasts. For red wines, the start of this delicate phase occurs only when the tank is filled, keeping the temperatures in perfect balance thanks to the Nectar technology” continues the owner of Tenuta Montemagno. Let’s discover together with Tiziano Barea these native varieties and let’s get to know the protagonists in the glass.
The prestigious Decanter wine magazine has published an article dedicated to Italian oenology. Four pages have been reserved for the Barbera d’Asti DOCG appellation. The article also included the results of a blind tasting, performed with over 140 samples of the appellation, in which our Barbera Superiore Mysterium DOCG was among the top three wines with a score of 93 points.
A result that does us honor and that rewards the attention and commitment that we dedicate every day, in the vineyard as in the cellar, to the production of quality wines that are emblematic of excellence in Monferrato, Piedmont and National enology.
We publish below the notes of the Mysterium tasting, an extract from the article and the original PDF published in the magazine.
About fifteen years ago the Barea siblings bought an old 15th-century farmhouse along with its vineyards. The oldest vineyard on the estate (average age, 85) produces this Barbera: astoundingly harmonious, and supported by a clear, vital energy. Alc 14.5%.
Article Extract
Top 40
Barbera d’Asti
Barbera d’Asti originates from Monferrato or “Munfrà”, as it is called in local dialect, a region that spans the hills of Asti and Alessandria and is the prime production area for this Piedmontese wine.
Swathes of vineyards as far as the eye can see, given their shape over the centuries by vine-dressers, offer a unique spectacle of light and colour. Farmhouses, ancient hamlets and medieval castles sprout up here and there. Woods and hazel groves make up the background. This is a wine-producing area to visit and discover, so full of traditions, history and foodie wonders, that it was given its own UNESCO World Heritage Site recognition in 2014, together with the nearby Langhe and Roero zones.
Having taken our fill of so much beauty, we come to the soul of these lands: Barbera d’Asti. The lady in red, as they call it around here, finds its best expression among these soft Asti hills because nature selected it a long time ago and the terrains that have the best exposure have been identified for its cultivation.
Original article published in the magazine:
https://blog.tenutamontemagno.it/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/001_Mysterium_ok.jpg12801920paolohttps://blog.tenutamontemagno.it/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/tm-relais.pngpaolo2021-02-05 18:22:512021-03-18 12:56:34Decanter, Mysterium and the top 40 Barbera d’Asti
The TM Method: the innovation on the tradition’s path.
The approach of the Barea Family, of the Oenologue Mr. Gianfranco Cordero and of the Agronomist, Mr. Maurizio Cerrato, it is focused on making unique wines, able to gift huge emotions and to guarantee health and long-living in all the TM wines.
Tenuta Montemagno fingerprint is represented by the extremely low sulfites in all wines: in our Metodo Classico – sparkling of Barbera grapes, in the indigenous and the internationals whites and in the important reds of our tradition.
THE QUALITY IN VINEYARD
Sincethe first planting of thevine-shoot, the Team of oenologues and agronomists all work according to the strict respect of the TM Method protocol and for the fulfillment of harvest’s expectations. The Monferrato is a territory sometimes difficult and harsh, so, the deep knowledge of the soil and the pedoclimatic conditions, represent the principal elements to have in mind for the plantation of every single grape, for the construction of the perfect environment where the vinification process take place, with regard to the tradition, the identity and the elegant style of the producer.
The production’s philosophy of Tenuta Montemagno is based on the important knowledge of this territory, on the better yield of every single plant, on the accurate clusters thinning made by hand – for our Barbera Mysterium, the clusters left on each plant for harvest are 6. The hand-made harvest is the final phase of the works in vineyard and it is the starting point for the production of healthy and long lasting wines.
The shape and the position of the hillyvineyards surrounding Tenuta, have a fundamental role to guarantee the quality of the delicate harvest process.
The assurance of the ideal conditions of the grapes, that are gathered in front of the cellar, with a very fast process, from the picking and without losing any juice from the grapes (that could be the cause of unwilling fermentations), isguaranteed by different elements:
– The proximity of the vineyards to the cellar
– The laying of bounces in small baskets
– The careful supervision of our Oenologues’ Team
The Agronomist’s operations in the vineyard seem to origin from a so called holistic vision, which assure the high quality of each bounce.
Besides the experience of whom is familiar with our soil and land, an important support is given by the technology applied for the collection and the elaboration of data about the weather, the rain, humidity and temperature, to “read” the biological system, as well ascatching the insects to measure their concentration. All these data are elaborated and studied to plan the precise treatments to do when and where they are strictly necessary.
Actually, in Tenuta Montemagno vineyards, the treatments are of “residual 0” and they follow the policy of “biological first”. This philosophy safeguards the vine, the territory and the health of both, producer and consumer. The aim to keep extremely low sulfites levels finds its motivation in the passion to have a perfect and complete vineyard’s cultivation process, from the first step until the bottling.
THE QUALITY DURING THE VINIFICATION PROCESS
The suggestion and the charme of the cellar of Tenuta Montemagno harmonize with the technological innovation. All the vinification processes take place in the steel tanks and in anaerobic atmosphere, thanks to the application of compressors with filters that separate the oxygen from the air. This practice generates azote, which is involved in all the vinification processes to avoid an unpleasant oxidation first, of the must, and after of the wine itself.
Moreover, the accurate control of the temperatures and the humidity tax prevents the risk of microorganisms and mold formation, which are a menace for the salubrity and the longevity of the wines.
The tools and the instruments, as well as the machineries necessary for the vinification process, have been projected and optimized according to our wine making style and our vision and passion.
All the tanks have hermetic closure to preserve all the aromas of the wine. Moreover, the pumping are made in a very natural way, utilizing the CO2 pressure that is generated during the fermentation phase, when only selected noble lees are used in.
In 24 hours, the pumping cycles are 6 and the way is totally natural and automatic. This particularand natural vinification process, the extraction of polyphenols – which gives the aromas to the wine, of anthocyanin – responsible of the color, and of tannins – for the longevity and complexity,all these elements are well present already the day after the fermentation starting.
For the red wines, the start of this delicate phase begins only when the tank is completely full, and the temperature perfectly controlled by the Nectar technology.
The white wines, we do a soft pressure and a carbonic maceration with dry ice to preserve the delicate and precious aromas and perfumes that characterize the Timorasso and Sauvignon grapes.
After the washing of the empty bottles, also the bottling procedure is made in an anaerobic environment, so that the wine doesn’t come in contact with the oxygen and is preserved by the oxidative process in bottle. In this way, in addition to ensuring the respect of the supply chain in a controlled environment, we give our wines great longevity.
The addition of sulfites, necessary to ensure the proper conservation of the wine, is calculated on the basis of the analyses carried out in the cellar during the processing eand represents the minimum quantity necessary to maintain the organoleptic characteristics of the wine and to preserve it during the rest in the bottle.
Compared to the parameters dictated by the disciplinary D.O.C. , D.O.C.G (max 200mg/l) and Organic wines (max 150 mg/l), the labels of Tenuta Montemagno are positioned at significantly lower values. Suffice it to mention the 29 mg/l of Ruché Invictus, the 41 mg/l of Grignolino or the 69 mg/l of the Metodo Classico – Sparkling wine.
THE QUALITY IN CELLAR
Achieving and maintaining the results of excellence over time, it requires a lot of passion, commitment and dedication, in addition to the deep knowledge of the territory, and the masterful interpretation of the “terroir”.
The winery of Tenuta Montemagno was conceived and designed from the beginning to produce long-living and healthy wines with very low sulfites content.
An approach that starts from the idea, the intuition, the will that the environment in which to work the wine is the third fundamental element (after the vineyard and the working in the cellar), to achieve the goal for which the labels of Tenuta Montemagno were born.
The decision to build a cellar “above ground”, but equipped with all the most modern technologies to manage the best temperature, humidity and ventilation in the different areas, was a winning choice to control in a precise and timely manner all the phases of winemaking: from fermentation in steel tanks, to malolactic fermentation in barrels for Barbera Mysterium, to refermentation in bottle for the Metodo Classico.
The efforts made in the vineyard, in the cellar and the constant investments in technology, offer our customers and all wine-lovers, great emotions to the taste of our labels. Wines that are not afraid of time and that are designed in full respect of the health of our consumers, to ensure a pleasant drinkability.
”Tiziano Barea and Gianfranco Cordero in a picture of Ugo Zamborlini, published on Spirito di Vino n° 82 – Oct/Nov
Actually, the origin of Nebbiolo grape, from which Barolo wine is produced, are even more ancient and are lost in history of the ancient Rome. The first reports have been registered by Plinio il Vecchio, ancient latin writer, in his “Naturalis Historia” – the history of nature, where it celebrates the wine splendor of a grape grown on the hills of Novara. Other notes have been found in the book written by Columella, author of 1 AC – “De Re Rustica” – on the agriculture, which is considered the most complete treaty about the agriculture in the ancient times.
The choice of the vineyards in La Morra municipality, reflects the will of Tenuta Montemagno to create wines with great character, outstanding, and characterized by pleasantness and softness, elegance and finesse, the richness of the bouquet and the complexity. All elements that we find in the Nebbiolo cultivated in this part of the Langhe and due to the characteristics of the Tortonian area of the hills of La Morra, with a marly/limestone soil, in which the roots of the vineyards have more than 40 years.
The choice to vinify the selected grapes only from the best vintages is our fundamental value: the Soranus 2013 has been prized with Gold Medal at DWWA – Decanter World Wine Award and at The Wine Hunter; the vintage 2015 gained another Gold Medal at Mundus Vini International Wine Competition.
Giampiero Vento, Chef Executive of “La Civettà sul comò” restaurant will create for you gourmet dishes to combine with our Soranus.
