Nebbiolo Monsupello – 2017

The wine from Monsupello

The Nebbiolo produced by the Monsupello winery is made from pure Nebbiolo grapes sourced from the company’s vineyards. These vineyards are over twenty years old and are meticulously cared for, from the pruning of the buds to the thinning of the bunches. This careful cultivation promotes better maturation of the grapes, resulting in a greater concentration of sugars and aromatic compounds.

You might wonder why a winery in Oltrepò Pavese produces Nebbiolo, a grape variety typically associated with Piedmont. Historically, during the era of the Kingdom of Savoy, Oltrepò Pavese was part of Piedmont. Although Nebbiolo was later replaced by Barbera and Croatina, the Monsupello winery has recently revived this grape variety, honouring its historical roots.

The decision to cultivate Nebbiolo was also supported by geological and climatic studies conducted by the “Carlo Gallini” Agricultural Technical Institute of Voghera. These studies indicated that the terroir of the Calcababbio vineyard, where Nebbiolo is grown, is similar to that of the Langa region of Neive, although the climate in Oltrepò Pavese is warmer and less humid.

THE WINEMAKING

The harvest is manual and takes place in mid-October, with grapes collected in eighteen-kilogram crates. Once in the cellar, winemaking begins with destemming and a cold maceration process lasting about a week. After racking, only the first-pressed wine is used for this label. The wine ages for a period ranging from thirty to thirty-six months in French oak barriques, both new and second-use. After blending and bottling, the wine rests in the cellar for a few additional months before going to the market.

Tasting the Nebbiolo from Monsupello

The wine exhibits a very intense ruby-red colour, almost purple, with bright reflections. On the nose, it presents pleasant fruity aromas of strawberry and raspberry, alongside floral notes of violet. It concludes with hints of grape jam, sweet spices, and vanilla. It is full-bodied on the palate, with smooth tannins, and a long, persistent finish. This is a wine that can age gracefully over time.

FOOD PAIRINGS

THE WINERY

The Monsupello winery was founded in 1893 in the municipality of Oliva Gessi, located in the heart of Oltrepò Pavese, by the Boatti family. Today, it is a family-run winery led by Carlo Boatti and his children, Pierangelo and Laura, which spans 50 hectares of vineyards. Carlo has carefully selected the best vineyard parcels in Oltrepò to produce top-quality wines… keep reading