Barbera Alba Fontanafredda 1973
This 1973 red wine is a Barbera d'Alba Denominazione d'Origine Controllata, produced by the historic Fontanafredda estate. The wine is made from Barbera, a classic Italian grape variety that is predominantly cultivated in the Piedmont region, as well as in California. The wine originates from Alba, located within Piedmont in northwestern Italy. Piedmont, which translates to "at the foot of the mountain," is surrounded by the Alps and is widely regarded as one of the world's most prestigious wine regions. The landscape is characterized by dramatic, steep hills, particularly in the Langhe subregion, where autumn morning fog often blankets the vineyards to protect the grapes and ensure a long ripening period.
Fontanafredda boasts a remarkable history that traces back to its royal origins. The estate was founded in 1858 by King Vittorio Emanuele II, Italy's first king after the unification, as a gift for his mistress and eventual wife, Rosa Vercellana, affectionately known as 'Bella Rosin'. Their son, Emanuele Alberto, Count of Mirafiore, further developed the winery and released the estate's first Barolo label from the 1878 vintage. The characteristic estate buildings still bear the brown and ochre stripes of the Savoy colors, serving as a visible reminder of this royal heritage. Today, the entire Fontanafredda estate constitutes its own MGA and monopole-cru, a unique status in an area where most crus are divided among multiple owners. With 120 hectares of vineyards set within a larger property of over 300 hectares, it stands as Italy's largest contiguous winery.
After being sold to the Monte dei Paschi di Siena bank in 1931, the estate entered a new era in 2008 under the ownership of Oscar Farinetti and Luca Baffigo. This modern ownership has placed a strong emphasis on sustainability, making Fontanafredda the largest certified organic winery in Piedmont starting from the 2018 vintage. The 1973 Barbera d'Alba was bottled directly by the producer at the origin. It is presented in a 720 ml bottle with an alcohol content of 12.5 percent.
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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How it handles
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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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