Barolo Fontanafredda 1971
Fontanafredda has an origin that reads like a historical drama. King Vittorio Emanuele II, Italy's first king after the unification of the realm, founded the estate in 1858 as a gift to his mistress and later morganatic wife Rosa Vercellana, known as 'Bella Rosin'. Their son Emanuele Alberto, Count of Mirafiore, established the commercial winery in 1878 and released the first Barolo label from the property with that same vintage. The estate, situated in Serralunga d'Alba and Barolo within the Langhe hills, features the beautiful Villa Reale, the king's former hunting lodge. The characteristic buildings, with their brown and ochre stripes, carry on the Savoy colors as a visible reminder of the house's royal origins.
In 1931, the property was sold to the Monte dei Paschi di Siena bank, which developed it into a highly modern and significant wine complex. Since 2008, it has been owned by Oscar Farinetti and Luca Baffigo, bringing the house into a new era with a strong emphasis on sustainability. Fontanafredda became the largest certified organic winery in Piedmont starting with the 2018 vintage.
The estate holds a unique position in the Barolo appellation. The entire Fontanafredda constitutes its own MGA and monopole cru, a rare status in an area where most crus are divided among multiple owners. The 120 hectares of vineyards are part of a total estate of over 300 hectares, making it Italy's largest contiguous vineyard. The wine is vinified and bottled in the production zone in Serralunga d'Alba, utilizing the estate's immense historic cellars equipped with hundreds of traditional Slavonian oak barrels.
Piedmont, located in northwestern Italy and surrounded by the Alps, is considered one of the world's most prestigious wine regions. The area is renowned for its dramatic, steep hills, particularly in the Langhe subregion, which are often enveloped in thick autumn morning fog that protects the grapes and ensures a long, perfect ripening period. This terroir-focused region is also a gastronomic center, famous for Alba white truffles and hazelnuts.
Within Piedmont lies Barolo, a highly prestigious wine area situated southwest of Alba. Barolo is exclusively tied to the Nebbiolo grape, an Italian top variety known for producing elegant wines with great structure. The 1971 vintage of this Barolo is described as an elegant year for the region, achieving a score of 94 points.
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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