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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.
