Barolo Fontanafredda 1961
Fontanafredda has an origin story resembling a historical drama. Founded in 1858 by King Vittorio Emanuele II, Italy's first king after unification, the estate was a gift to his mistress and later wife, Rosa Vercellana, known as 'Bella Rosin'. Their son, Emanuele Alberto, Count of Mirafiore, developed the winery and released the first Barolo label from the property with the 1878 vintage. The estate's characteristic buildings, with their brown and ochre stripes, carry on the Savoy colors as a visible reminder of its royal origins.
The property holds a unique status in the Barolo appellation. The entire Fontanafredda estate constitutes its own MGA and monopole-cru, a rarity in an area where most crus are divided among multiple owners. With 120 hectares of vineyards within a total estate of over 300 hectares, it is Italy's largest contiguous vineyard. In 1931, the house was sold to the Monte dei Paschi di Siena bank, and since 2008, it has been owned by Oscar Farinetti and Luca Baffigo, who have brought the winery into a new era with a strong emphasis on sustainability.
Located in the northwestern corner of Italy, surrounded by the Alps, Piedmont translates to "at the foot of the mountain" and is considered one of the world's most prestigious wine regions. The dramatic, steep hills of the Langhe subregion, located southwest of Alba, are often enveloped in thick autumn morning fog, which protects the grapes and ensures a perfect ripening period. This specific terroir is the home of the Barolo appellation, renowned for its classic red wines made exclusively from the Nebbiolo grape. The 1961 vintage from this area achieved a score of 94 points and is described as dense and intense.
Nebbiolo is an Italian top-tier grape known for producing elegant wines with great structure, primarily cultivated in Barolo, Barbaresco, and the wider Piedmont region. This 1961 Barolo was bottled at the origin by the producer in their cellars in Serralunga d'Alba, carrying the Denominazione di Origine Controllata classification.
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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