Barolo Fontanafredda 1975
The Barolo Fontanafredda 1975 originates from an estate with a history resembling a historical drama. Located in Serralunga d'Alba and Barolo within the Langhe hills, the property was founded in 1858 by King Vittorio Emanuele II, Italy's first king after unification. He established the estate as a gift for his mistress and later wife, Rosa Vercellana, known as 'Bella Rosin'. Their son, Emanuele Alberto, Count of Mirafiore, subsequently developed the winery and released the first Barolo label from the property with the 1878 vintage. The historic Villa Reale, formerly the King's hunting lodge, remains at the center of the estate, while the characteristic buildings bear the brown and ochre stripes of the Savoy colors as a visible reminder of its royal origins.
The wine is produced in Piedmont, a prestigious region in northwestern Italy surrounded by the Alps. The dramatic, steep hills of the Langhe subregion are often enveloped in thick autumn fog, which protects the vineyards and provides a long, perfect ripening period. Barolo is one of the most prominent wine areas here, deeply connected to the Nebbiolo grape. The 1975 vintage in this classic area is described as tight and traditional, achieving a score of 84 points. Nebbiolo is recognized as a top Italian grape variety, primarily cultivated in the Barolo and Barbaresco areas of Piedmont.
Fontanafredda holds a unique position within the Barolo appellation. The entire 120-hectare vineyard constitutes its own MGA and monopole-cru, an exceptional status in an area where most crus are divided among numerous owners. These vineyards are part of a larger property exceeding 300 hectares, making it Italy's largest contiguous winery. Vinification and bottling for this Denominazione di Origine Controllata wine took place in the production zone of Serralunga d'Alba. The estate's immense cellars utilize traditional Slavonian oak barrels for the winemaking process. At the time of this vintage, the winery was owned by the bank Monte dei Paschi di Siena, which acquired it in 1931, long before its modern transition into Piedmont's largest certified organic winery under the ownership of Oscar Farinetti.
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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