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ITALY<br />
TERROIR<br />
IN 2020, A NEW FONTANAFREDDA WAS BORN WITH THE AIM OF BEING EVEN BETTER THAN BEFORE<br />
AND PRIORITISING GREATER RESPECT FOR THE PLANET, UNDER THE ‘GREEN RENAISSANCE’ BANNER<br />
proud of the important social role it plays in the Langhe region, working with farmers to promote<br />
cleaner agriculture.<br />
Fontanafredda was certified as a ‘Sustainable Winery’ in 2021 and has implemented various<br />
measures for saving energy including the installation of cogeneration plants and solar panels<br />
and relamping. Sustainable mobility is promoted through electric forklift trucks, electric charging<br />
stations and a biomethane tractor introduced for the 2021 harvest. This year, a new project<br />
will be launched to reduce monoculture and continue to promote biodiversity. While the project<br />
details are currently still under wraps, it is likely that Fontanafredda will experiment with new<br />
processing systems to reduce the quantity, drift and root uptake, so as to have healthier plants<br />
and more vibrant soils.<br />
SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE<br />
Piedmont is a kaleidoscope of grape varieties and vineyard sites with the ability to express individual<br />
identities through techniques which are increasingly focused on sustainability and regional<br />
recognition. While wines such as Dolcetto and Grignolino were traditionally considered more<br />
important than Barolo and Barbaresco, things have now changed. The fine wines of the Langhe<br />
have allowed the entire region to experience great success both in terms of wine tourism and positioning.<br />
Monferrato seems more inclined to focus on Barbera, but is also home to intriguing offerings<br />
such as Ruchè, a semi-aromatic variety showing great intensity and elegance. There is also a<br />
strong appeal for the micro-zones such as Carema and the excellence of North Piedmont such as<br />
Ghemme and Gattinara. Among the whites, in addition to Roero Arneis and Gavi, there is growing<br />
interest in the mineral Timorasso dei Colli Tortonesi and the versatile Erbaluce di Caluso. Last<br />
but not least, the aromatic Moscato and Brachetto are also part and parcel of the region’s history.<br />
SPRING 2024 • GILBERT & GAILLARD - THE FRENCH EXPERTS ON WINE<br />
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