Barbaresco, DOCG, 2015, Tradizione, Fontanafredda Winery, 13.5%, 0.75l

Product detailed description

Especially on the natural properties of this product, it is contained in a wine  with a rich structure, full and robust ability  to resist well over the years. In the glass, Barbaresco presents a ruby ​​red color with a light hint of vanilla, intense undergrowth and violets. The taste is warm, soft, full, velvety and harmonious, long persistent. Fermentation is in progress  in stainless steel tanks,  at a controlled temperature of 30-31°C in stainless steel tanks for 15 days, with frequent pumping of the tank to optimize the release of polyphenols into the wine. Subsequent aging for one year in an Allier barrique barrel and then in larger barrels with a volume of 2-3 thousand liters. The wine is then bottled for subsequent aging in the bottle for another 12 months.  

Barberesco,  the origin of this noble wine is lost in legend. Some say that the Gauls originally arrived in Italy precisely because they were attracted to a certain excellent wine called "barbaritium". Others state that Barbaresco derives its name from the barbarian hordes that caused the fall of the Roman Empire. It is probably true that during Roman times the hill where the village of Barbaresco now stands was heavily wooded and the Ligurian tribes used these forests as a shelter to escape the deadly Roman cavalry. The Romans called this area "barbarica silva" or "wild woods" because it was at the very edge of their domain and was a risky area due to the presence of barbarians. Professor Domizio Cavazza, the first ever director of the Alba School of Oenology, was also the first to describe the characteristics of this wine during the same period - around the second half of the 19th century - when Count Cavour, the Marquis Falletti and the Savoy Royal Family were all interested in Barolo, another great red from the Nebbiolo grape

The production area includes the entire territory of the villages of Barbaresco, Treiso and Neive and part of the territory of the municipality of Alba.  Barbaresco is produced exclusively from Nebbiolo grapes and presents an intense and brilliant color ranging from ruby ​​to garnet red. The bouquet is a stimulating combination of fruits including raspberry and blackberry jam, nutmeg and violet, but also green pepper, cinnamon, nutmeg, hay, toasted hazelnuts, vanilla and even anise. Barbaresco must be left to mature for at least two years in oak - after four years the title "Riserva" can be used. It is best when you are between five and ten years old, but it can live even longer.

Why do we like it?

Those fans of quality red wines for everyday occasions will especially appreciate it. Barbaresco is not as complex a wine compared to Barolo wines, but more substantial and structured in flavor than basic Nebbiolo.

Manufacturer

Like all beautiful things, Fontanafredda was born from the love story of the first king of Italy, Victor Emmanuel II. and Rosa Vercellana. In 1858, the Fontanafredda estate was bought by Vittorio Emanuele II. as a gift for the "beautiful" Rosina, the woman he loved and subsequently registered in the name of his children Maria Vittorio and Emanuele Alberto, Count of Mirafiore, Fontanfredda.  In 1866, the king buys the first vineyard in Barolo, from which the name "Tenimenti di Barolo in Fontanafredda" was born, which appears on the first bottles.  In 1870, the first vinification begins. Wine production begins in the Fontanfredda cellars, although the mention of Fontanafredda Barolo dates back to 1867. In 1878, Count Emanuele Alberto founded a winery with more than 300ha  cultivated directly with specialized workers. It was very unique at the time. In 1886, the first Barolo goes overseas. In 1887, the first concrete tanks in Europe are installed in the Fontanafredda cellars. In 1894, Emanuele Alberto di Mirafiore, the man who turned Barolo into a myth, dies. It was he who made Fontanafreddo a real village with a church and a school. His young second son Gastone takes over.  In 1918, under the leadership of the director of Cav. Mollo, the company has reached its maximum commercial and productive expansion, with 200 employees and more than 40 families living on the Fontanafredda property. In 1931  is phylloxera. Due to the devastation caused by blight, a serious vine disease, and the Great Depression that arrived from the US, the land and cellar were sold for  1,050,500 lira of the Tuscan bank Mote dei Paschi di Siena, which was inspired for the new name of the company by the toponym of the area : Tenimenti  di Barolo and Fontanafredda.  Meanwhile, the Casa E. di Mirafiore brand is sold to the Piedmontese  family  Gancia for the amount of 100,000 lire.  In the post-war years 1950 - 1959, Fontanfredda created an image of quality and a strong brand thanks to the work of Cavalier Giuseppe Bressan.  In 1964, the first certified Cru from the La Rosa vineyard begins to be produced. In August 1988, the first Barolo Serralunga d'Alba begins to be produced.  In 2006, Fontanafredda becomes an Olympic wine. On the occasion of XX. Winter Olympics in Turin. It is in recent years that the process of raising awareness of sustainability has begun. In 2008 there is a big change. Oscar Farinetti and Luca Baffigo arrive, who buy the manor, and after 77 years, Fontanfredda is once again in the hands of Piedmont.  In 2012 Barolo La Rosa 2008  included in the list of the 100 best wines in the world by Wine Spectator.  In 2015, the process of conversion to organic farming begins on all vineyards. In 2017, Fontanafredda becomes "European Winery of the Year" for the prestigious American magazine Wine Enthusiast and inaugurates "Villaggio Narrante". In 2018, for the 160th birthday, the first certified harvest in organic quality. With 95 points from Wine Spectator ro Barolo Property 2013, the first year produced and 94 points Wine Enthusiast Editor´s Choice for Barolo Serralunga 2015. In 2020 a new renaissance, the script changes and the values ​​change to achieve the same result of rebirth. 2021 is the first sustainability and certification report. Equalitas, Vegan Product and History Brand certification is achieved.  In 2022, Barolo Serralunga d'Alba is included in the TOP100. In 2023, the 165th anniversary of its foundation will be celebrated. Sw with confidence in the present and boldly in the future. The winery is ranked among the TOP 100 premium brands of wines and spirits in the world, and Barolo Lazzarito La Delizioa 2019 enters the TOP 100 Wines 2023 Wine Enthusiast ranking. In 2024 Bosco Vigna, more than 150 specimens of forest and fruit plants planted among the Fontanafredda vineyards to promote biodiversity in the Langhe.