Vigna Raimondo Barbera d’Alba Fontanafredda 1990
The origins of Fontanafredda read like a historical drama. The estate was founded in 1858 by King Vittorio Emanuele II, Italy's first king after the unification, as a gift to his mistress and later wife, Rosa Vercellana, known as "Bella Rosin." Their son, Emanuele Alberto, Count of Mirafiore, further developed the winery and released the estate's first Barolo label with the 1878 vintage. The characteristic buildings, with their brown and ochre stripes, carry on the Savoy colors as a visible reminder of the house's royal heritage. Today, the estate is unique in the area, as the entire Fontanafredda constitutes its own MGA and monopole-cru. The 120 hectares of vineyards are part of a larger estate of over 300 hectares, making it Italy's largest contiguous vineyard. After a period of ownership by the Monte dei Paschi di Siena bank starting in 1931, the estate was purchased in 2008 by Oscar Farinetti and Luca Baffigo, who ushered in a new era focused on sustainability, making it Piedmont's largest certified organic winery from the 2018 vintage.
This 1990 vintage originates from the Barbera d'Alba Denominazione di Origine Controllata, a classic wine area situated around Alba and the Langhe. Here, the Barbera grape is cultivated side by side with Nebbiolo, combining the area's natural characteristics with the serious winemaking traditions of the Langhe. The region of Piedmont, literally meaning "at the foot of the mountain," is located in northwestern Italy and is bordered by the Alps. It is globally recognized for its immense focus on terroir and its dramatic, steep hills. During autumn, these hills are frequently enveloped in a thick morning fog that protects the grapes and facilitates a long, steady ripening process.
The wine is made exclusively from Barbera, a classic Italian grape variety that is widely planted across Piedmont as well as in California. The grapes for this specific wine were sourced from the Vigna Raimondo vineyard, located in the commune of Serralunga d'Alba. Planted in 1974, this 2.28-hectare vineyard features a western exposure and sits at an altitude of 250 to 290 meters above sea level, rooted in Miocene and Helvetian soils. The 1990 vintage of Vigna Raimondo resulted in a total production of 19,450 bottles, bottled at 12.5 percent alcohol.
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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