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GWL Day 24 - Vignale Monferrato (PIEMONTE) - Asti - Alba (PIEMONTE (140 km)
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Location: Blogs Antonio MaurielloVisiting Italy as a Tourist |
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| Posted by: Antonio Mauriello |
6/27/2004 12:20 PM |
 Another native grape variety North of Asti: Ruche'
I am leaving Vignale Monferrato to change wine areas. It seems that in Piemonte, at every kilometer, there is a different DOC! The area I am entering now, interests me particularly because of a red grape variety cultivated here called "Ruche". It attracted my attention at the Milano fair, MiWine, because it is a native variety resembling Lacrima di Morro that I found in Marche. It produces a soft, off dry red, which in ancient times was used only during special occasions. I stopped at the towns of Scurzolengo and Castagnole Monferrato, 2 of the 7 townships included in the Ruche DOC area.
One of the local major producer is "Cantine Sant'Agata". Franco Cavallero one of the two brothers who own the estate, is also president of the "Consorzio per la tutela dei vini del Monferrato" and a proud supporter of Ruche'. He welcomed me in his cellar on a Sunday morning, even without receiving any notice from me. We chatted for a couple of hours about the history of Ruche'. He has also found a close similarity to the Lacrima di Morro grape.
The sign says: "..If somebody offers you THE RUCHE' in Castagnole Monferrato, it is because they like you" 
These are the wines tasted:
1) Barbera d'Asti Baby 2003. Price at the cellar: Euro 4. My score: 78/100.
2) Barbera d'Asti Superiore Altea 2yrs wood. Price at the cellar: Euro 6. My score: 82/100.
3) Ruche' di Castagnole Monferrato Na' Vota. Price at the cellar: Euro 7. My score: 81/100.
4) Ruche' di Castagnole Monferrato Il Cavaliere. Price at the cellar: Euro 5.60. My score: 78/100.
5) Ruche' di Castagnole Monferrato Pro Nobis. We did not taste this last one which is the signature Ruche of the winery. Franco was so nice to give me one bottle to try at home.
I then drove out from the nice tiny area of the Roche', south direction, visited Asti and entered, just after 10 km, in another kingdom. The Langhe. This is, above all, the Mecca of the wine enthusiasts, "the destination" of a wine trotter visiting Piemonte.
It is evening now and I am peacefully resting in a B&B. I decided to stay in the town of Alba in the middle of 3 famous areas: Roero, Barolo and Barbaresco. From this strategic location, I will "attack" these hills as much as I can, I will fight the heat of these days, I will win tremendous knowledge, I will accomplish a life's dream.
Ok.. let's stop my emotions..with such strong goals in mind and with the energy I have, I must plan carefully. So, after my arrival to Alba, I went to the Tourist Information Center to look for a convenient accommodation, that must be near Alba and cheap (!). I found a small nice B&B 4km from Alba, in the Barbaresco DOCG area. What a view! Guess what.... vineyards! There is no other thing planted here...just vine! A million dollar view at only 35 Euro!
The first thing I did when I entered my room was to lie down in the bed and loose myself in this green ocean of vineyards. I see vineyards everywhere! I see vineyards from the bathroom window, I see vineyards from the huge bedroom window. Now I see them even when I close my eyes...It is soooo romantic!!! Just a note: I was born in a town by the sea, I am used to getting lost in a sea of blue.....now I dream of green... Things change! No kidding!
 Nebbiolo vineyards are all I could see from any of my room's windows near Alba. |
| Copyright ©2006 Antonio Mauriello |
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