The Monferrato must be discovered, because it is a hidden pearl!
Did I mention I was in love with the Monferrato before? Yes, of course! This love doesn’t change my love for the Langhe and my affection for the Roero, but Monferrato is always a surprise for me!
Perhaps because I don’t live there and so I visit less frequently, or maybe because of my passion for less touristy places, but really, every time it’s a discovery!
The Monferrato is a vast and varied territory divided into three large areas: the Lower Monferrato Casalese (toward the province of Alessandria), the Lower Monferrato Asti (province of Asti), and the Upper Monferrato, which borders the High Langa.
Now I could talk about the many fascinating villages you encounter, the landscapes characterized by rolling hills covered with vineyards that offer incredible views in every season, or the fact that vineyards often leave room for orchards, hazelnut groves, and especially forests, ensuring a unique biodiversity.
Will the Langhe Truffles be better than those of Monferrato?
Or maybe I can talk about the fact that in Monferrato, there are, according to some people, the best white truffles in the area. I’m not sure if I’m true, but today we “scratched” a lot, and I must say that they were a pleasure to the taste and smell!
I could talk about history, geology, and also wine and food, of course, but I would like to talk about people this time.
One of SlowDays’ “slogans” is “Know places through people”. It’s not just a way of saying, but something we strongly believe in!
Some time ago, on another trip to Monferrato, I had already been able to appreciate the great sense of hospitality that is characteristic of these parts, combined with a simplicity and genuineness that are truly rare.
I had found all this in the cellars, in the restaurants, in the structures that I had the pleasure of visiting—a sense of family and warmth that remains in your heart.
Today, another trip, another confirmation! I met an entire family that makes wine, but it’s not that simple at all.
It’s not easy
… remain tied to their land and not give in to the flattery of the market; it is not easy to make respect for the territory prevail over purely economic interests; it is not easy to “break your back” and remain united by continuing the tradition handed down by grandparents and great-grandparents. A tradition that grandchildren know how to make current, of course, but without losing their roots.
We visited the winery together with Giancarlo, the older brother who supervises all the activities of the winery, under the watchful eye of Davide, who takes care of the production.
You are immediately immersed in something that is not a guided tour, but an experience full of humanity and warmth. Even the cold steel barrels are “hot” with the family’s printed photos and phrases that distinguish the company’s philosophy.
For example, they recite “The best ingredient in a wine is the honesty of those who produce it”.
They say, “I’m not telling you that the wine is good, that will depend on your taste, I tell you that it is genuine!”…
Well, this honesty is perceived first in the words and then in the glass!
After the visit, we are ready for lunch.
After the visit, you prepare for the tasting, thanks to his Chef, another brother, Lorenzo, who enhances the cellar’s wines with the typical dishes prepared with wisdom.
It’s a crescendo of taste and scents, always under the watchful eye of the owners who, you can see from their eyes, want you to be well at first! Impossible not to allow yourself to be touched by so much humanity, not to be warmed up! Let’s say that the excellent Barbera and a scratched truffle contribute to the magic!
The wines are a delight, the dishes are excellent, the climate pleasant … inevitably, dad comes to the end to offer grappa, and you can see how proud he is of these sons, so hard-working and united! Even his younger brother, Paolo, has arrived and is helping out after finishing the deliveries.
All this has not been put together with art; it is not a guided tour for tourists with timetables and reservations. It is the life of a family in Monferrato that produces wine and opens its doors to visitors, offering a genuine experience, just like their extraordinary wine.
These are the places and people that SlowDays likes, do you want them too?
Comments