langhe monferrato – Page 2 – Verdmont Bed & Breakfast; Family apartments

The name ‘Nebbiolo’ derives its name from the Italian word for ‘fog’. This could be due to the grape’s foggy, bloom-covered appearance or, more evocatively, its late harvest in fog-wrapped vineyards – a theory I find particularly captivating.

Originating in pre-Roman times, Nebbiolo’s history is rooted in the Ligurian-Piedmontese area. The ancient writer Columella mentioned Nebbiolo in his first-century treatise ‘De de rustica’, highlighting its longstanding importance. In the Late Middle Ages, documents already praised Nebbiolo (referred to as nebiolius or nibiol) for its noble and long-lasting qualities.

Ampelographers suggest that Nebbiolo is indigenous to Piedmont, though DNA evidence hints at a possible origin in northern Lombardy’s Valtellina area. Its first official record dates back to the 13th century, tracing its lineage to ancient varieties like Vaccarino Nero and Lampia di San Costanzo.

The international spotlight turned to Nebbiolo and the Langhe region around 1844 when French oenologist Louis Oudart, at the behest of Count of Cavour and Juliette Colbert (Giulia di Barolo), transformed Nebbiolo grapes into the esteemed Barolo wine.

Marchesa Giulia di Barolo’s vision and innovation were pivotal in Nebbiolo’s development. Initially, Nebbiolo grapes were made into a partially fermented, sweet, sparkling wine. Giulia’s decision to build new cellars for large cask wine production transformed this sweet beverage into the full-bodied, noble Barolo we know today.

You can read more about this remarkable Queen of Barolo Guila di Barolo, Queen & mother of Barolo

The King of Wines, the Wine of Kings

In the 1800s, King Carlo Alberto and Italy’s first Prime Minister, Camillo Benso, Count of Cavour, favored Barolo at diplomatic events. Legend has it that King Carlo Alberto once jestingly asked Marchesa di Barolo when he could taste her acclaimed wine, to which she promptly sent 325 caskets to Turin – one for each day of the year minus the quarantine period.

Legend has it, the Marchesa was at court and King Carlo Alberto asked her jokingly: “Marchesa, people always speak highly of the wine from your holdings. When will you let us taste it?”

“Your Majesty, your wish will be granted soon” answered the Marchesa.

The wine cellars of Marchesi di Barolo remain unchanged

True to her word after many months finally stable and perfect to be transported for long distances without being altered, she did send 325 caskets of Barolo wine (shown above) that is one for each day of the year minute the quaratine period.

Barolo quickly became the wine of the Savoy court, of ambassadors and high-ranking officers of the army. After a short time, it also reached royal and noble banquets all over Europe.

For this reason it famously earned its epitaph “The King of Wines, the Wine of Kings”.

Meanwhile, other Nebbiolo regions like Monferrato and Roero, traditionally farmed by families, remained less renowned slipping into the shadows, becoming a wine made by simple farming families, no more prized than their peaches or grain.

Where can I find Nebbiolo?

Nebbiolo is synonymous with Piedmont. In the Langhe, especially around Barolo and Barbaresco, it’s used to craft iconic wines like Barolo DOCG and Barbaresco DOCG. In the Roero area, along the Tanaro river, you’ll find Roero DOCG with at least 95% Nebbiolo grapes. Further north, in Novara and Vercelli, Nebbiolo is blended with Vespolina grapes for Gattinara and Ghemme wines.

While top-tier Barolo and Barbaresco can be pricey (aging enhances their drinkability), more accessible blends with Barbera are available. Nebbiolo wines are renowned for their complex flavors – think violets, wild herbs, cherries, raspberries, and truffles.

Moving north, Nebbiolo is grown with excellent results even between Novara and Vercelli: here the DOCG Gattinara and Ghemme wines are born, where Nebbiolo is usually used for niche productions blended with Vespolina grapes.

Nebbiolo wines are known for their complex flavors and aromas. They have a brick-orange hue at the rim of the glass and mature to reveal other aromas and flavors such as violets, wild herbs, cherries, raspberries, truffles, tobacco, and prunes ² ¹.

For those interested in exploring Nebbiolo wines, Piedmont is the place to be. Here, the wines are vibrant, with tart blackberry notes and bright acidity. We recommend visiting Barolo and exploring its historic cellars. You can book a visit or a tasting, starting at €35 per person, at the Marchesi Di Barolo estate.”

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Barbera, our 0 KM wine.

January 19, 2024January 19, 2024 Verdmont Acqui Terme

Explore our hills here in Monferrato and in all likelyhood you will be looking at Barbera vines. It is both popular and ubiquitous, approachable yet luscious and remains to this day one of the most underrated especially when compared to Nebbiolo wines Barbaresco and Barolo. Piedmont region is the home and birthplace of Italy (as a unified nation but also Barbera), the most beloved ones are labeled Barbera d’Asti, Barbera d’Alba, or Barbera del Monferrato. Interestingly, though they are all produced from the Barbera grape variety, they are demonstrably different expressions. But it is a wine that absolutely holds its own and can be aged beautifully. It is a gem hidden in plain sight.

Barbera is a red wine grape variety not a place (like Barolo or Barberesco) that is native to the Piedmont region of Italy. It is known for its deep color, full body, low tannins, and high levels of acidity ¹. The grape is used to produce varietal as well as blended wines, and it is often blended with the tannic Nebbiolo grape to soften the red wine and make it more approachable in its youth.

Barbera is a versatile wine that pairs well with a variety of foods. It is often paired with mushrooms, herbs, herbaceous cheeses like blue cheese, higher tannin foods like root vegetables & braised greens ².

Barbera wines are known for their fruity and light-bodied taste. They have notes of strawberry and sour cherry, which are flavors synonymous with light-bodied wines. Light tannin and high acidity make it taste ‘Juicy’ ².

Barbera is believed to have originated in the hills of Monferrato in central Piemonte, Italy, where it has been known since the thirteenth century ¹. The best-known appellation is the DOCG (Denominazione di Origine Controllata e Garantita) Barbera d’Asti in the Piedmont region ¹.

In the 19th and 20th centuries, waves of Italian immigrants brought Barbera to the Americas where the vine took root in California and Argentina among other places ¹.

Barbera wines have been traditionally associated with the Piedmont region of Italy. The best-known appellation is the DOCG (Denominazione di Origine Controllata e Garantita) Barbera d’Asti in the Piedmont region ¹.

If you are looking to buy Barbera wines, the best Barbera wines come from this are. in fact from right here near Verdmont is the appelation Nizza which is a growing brand.

There are several designations to explore, and the wines are much fresher in style, with tart blackberry notes and ample acidity ².

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Walking the hills

January 8, 2024April 18, 2024 Verdmont Acqui Terme

There are few nice walks you can do in the area but one that is simple and leaves right from Verdmont will take you across vines, to a little chapel, a view point and the giant yellow bench. It’s a total of 9km there and back and while the beginning is a little strenuous you will get great views and walk in the vines, fabulous.

The two view points the Pineta Chapel see my other post on the history.

The details of the walk are here it is free to sign up and you should see a map if not just ask! https://www.komoot.com/tour/1393533914?ref=wtd

READ ON for a written description…with more photos of the landmarks you will pass. These were taken early spring so some trees are just about with leaves and the vines are just getting started!

Turn right at the gate and cross into the next field on the edge running up you should see tracks (we walk there daily) follow the tracks to the top and you will vear right, eventually you will come out onto the road at the top. This is the steepest part of the walk it is easy from here!

This is strada Monterosso you will take again right here and follow the road. You will be staying on this road for some kilometers so relax and enjoy the views.

On the Left you will pass a little mini chapel originally conceived to serve this in the area. It does open a few times per year for a special service.

Continue beyond the chapel. You will reach the brow of the hill and follow the now gravel path ahead. You will take a winding path through the vines.

At the end of the road you will reach a fork here you take right again.

Continue and at a sharp curve in the road there will be a dirt track ahead this will lead to another little Chapel The Pineta and a small picnic area.

If you stay on the road it will take you 200 m on where you will see a sign for the big bench, you will cross into the vines here 100m more to reach the panoramic spot and take some nice photos!

To go back simply retrace your steps!

Foliage, a blaze of glory. you can see more photos of the walk in a different season.