Barbaresco Fontanafredda 1984 bad label
Fontanafredda has an origin story that reads like a historical drama. The estate was founded in 1858 by King Vittorio Emanuele II, Italy's first king after the country's unification, as a gift for his mistress and later wife, Rosa Vercellana, affectionately known as 'Bella Rosin'. Their son, Emanuele Alberto, Count of Mirafiore, further developed the winery and released the property's first Barolo label with the 1878 vintage. The characteristic estate buildings, with their brown and ochre stripes, proudly display the Savoy colors as a visible reminder of this royal heritage.
In 1931, the property was sold to the Monte dei Paschi di Siena bank, and since 2008, it has been owned by Oscar Farinetti, the founder of the Eataly empire, alongside Luca Baffigo. Under this modern ownership, the estate has placed a strong emphasis on sustainability, becoming the largest certified organic winery in Piemonte starting with the 2018 vintage. The property holds a unique status, as the entire Fontanafredda estate constitutes its own MGA and monopole cru. Its 120 hectares of vineyards are part of a massive 300-hectare property, making it the largest contiguous winery in Italy.
This wine originates from Barbaresco, a classic area located in the Langhe hills east of Alba within the prestigious Piemonte region of northwestern Italy. Piemonte is bordered by the Alps and is renowned for its steep hills that are frequently enveloped in thick autumn morning fog, a landscape deeply focused on the influence of terroir. The 1984 vintage in this area was marked by rainy weather and resulted in a generally low-quality harvest.
The wine is crafted entirely from Nebbiolo, a premier Italian grape variety predominantly cultivated in Barolo, Barbaresco, and throughout Piemonte. The grapes for this Barbaresco DOCG are sourced specifically from vineyards within the designated appellation zone. During vinification, fermentation takes place with destemmed pomace for 15 to 20 days in temperature-controlled steel vats. The wine is subsequently aged in Slavonian oak barrels for a minimum of one year, followed by at least one additional year of maturation in the bottle.
The history of the wine
Below, you can delve into the history of this wine — its producer, grape, area, and region.
Piedmont
Piedmont (which literally means "at the foot of the mountain") is located in northwestern Italy, surrounded by the Alps. It is considered one of the world's absolute most prestigious wine regions. The area is known for small, passionate, family-run wineries and a huge focus on terroir (how the soil and microclimate affect the wine).
Classic characteristics of Piedmont:
The royal wines: This is where the world-famous, complex and expensive red wines Barolo and Barbaresco come from (both made from 100% Nebbiolo).
Everyday heroes: In addition to Nebbiolo, the region is famous for the grapes Barbera (juicy, acidic and incredibly popular) and Dolcetto (dark, soft and fruity).
The white and sweet: Piedmont also makes the crisp white wine Gavi and the famous, lightly sparkling dessert bubbles Moscato d'Asti.
The landscape: Dramatic, steep hills – especially in the Langhe sub-area. The hills are often shrouded in thick morning mist in autumn, which protects the grapes and allows for a long, perfect ripening.
Gastronomy: An absolute mecca for food lovers. The area is world famous for the exclusive white truffles from Alba, hazelnuts and rich, simmered dishes that scream with a glass of local red wine.
When this wine was made, the world looked very different. Here are some of the stories that unfolded while this bottle quietly aged in its cellar.
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Storage
Store the bottle horizontally at 12–14°C and avoid direct sunlight, vibrations, and temperature fluctuations.
Opening
Allow the bottle to stand upright for 24–48 hours before opening to allow sediment to settle. Use a professional corkscrew and open carefully.
Enjoyment
Serve at 17–18°C and be patient – there is a great difference in how and how quickly wines open up when they are aerated.
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