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CECILIA ZUCCA AND HER<br />
DAUGHTER ELEONORA DEZZANI,<br />
THE TWO WOMEN AT THE HELM<br />
OF PO<strong>GG</strong>IO RIDENTE<br />
lence, especially for wine tourism, which is a resource that will be increasingly important to the<br />
industry. Business is going very well, but Cuvage is concerned about the effects of climate change<br />
and is therefore taking measures in the vineyard and the winery to reduce waste and save energy.<br />
For Cuvage, identity and sustainability are key to the future.<br />
PO<strong>GG</strong>IO RIDENTE – DIVERSITY AND RESPECT,<br />
FROM THE VINEYARD TO THE GLASS<br />
Poggio Ridente is located on Cocconato hill, home to the San Sebastiano and Vallìa vineyards.<br />
Due to the particular soil and climate, it is known as the ‘Monferrato Riviera’. Here, Cecilia Zucca<br />
concentrates on farming Barbera and Albarossa vines organically, alongside 3 hectares of recently<br />
planted Pinot Noir, Viognier, Riesling and Sauvignon, and the latest addition, Nebbiolo, planted<br />
just two years ago. The winery has 11 hectares of organically managed vineyards surrounded by<br />
woods and hedges. Sitting at an altitude of over 450 metres above sea level, the land is divided into<br />
three main vineyard blocks on the opposite sides of Cocconato. It produces Barbera d’Asti DOCG,<br />
Piemonte DOC Albarossa, Ruché Di Castagnole Monferrato DOCG, Piemonte DOC Pinot Nero,<br />
Piemonte DOC Viognier, and Monferrato DOC Bianco.<br />
Poggio Ridente feels that Piedmont red wines have a good reputation nationally but also internationally,<br />
particularly in the USA. In Northern Europe there has been a slight downturn in sales, especially<br />
in recent years, with a return to simpler wines with lower alcohol content, but new markets<br />
such as China are showing positive signs. Producing organic wines offers marketing advantages but<br />
in terms of vineyard management, it is much more complex. It does, though, allow biodiversity to<br />
be preserved. The company’s latest projects are mainly aimed at harvesting and storing rainwater<br />
for winemaking needs and emergency irrigation. Solar panels have also been installed on the roofs<br />
to provide power for both the new structure and the storage facilities.<br />
SPRING 2024 • GILBERT & GAILLARD - THE FRENCH EXPERTS ON WINE<br />
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