Barolo Fontanafredda 1979
The 1979 Barolo Fontanafredda originates from an estate with a history resembling a historical drama. Founded in 1858 by King Vittorio Emanuele II, Italy's first king after the unification, the property 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 estate with the 1878 vintage. Today, the characteristic buildings with their brown and ochre stripes continue to bear the Savoy colors as a visible reminder of the house's royal origins.
The estate holds a unique status in the Barolo appellation. The entire Fontanafredda property 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. After being sold to the Monte dei Paschi di Siena bank in 1931, the house entered a new era in 2008 under the ownership of Oscar Farinetti and Luca Baffigo. This modern ownership has brought a strong emphasis on sustainability, making Fontanafredda the largest certified organic winery in Piedmont starting from the 2018 vintage.
Located in the Langhe hills southwest of Alba, Barolo is one of the most prestigious wine areas in the Piedmont region of northwestern Italy. Piedmont, literally meaning "at the foot of the mountain," is surrounded by the Alps and is renowned for its dramatic, steep hills often enveloped in thick autumn morning fog, which protects the grapes and ensures a long, perfect ripening period. The 1979 vintage in this area achieved a score of 89 points and is described as soft and charming. This classic Italian red wine is made exclusively from Nebbiolo, a top grape known for producing elegant wines with great structure, deeply tied to the Barolo and Barbaresco areas.
The production of this Denominazione di Origine Controllata wine involves careful vinification in the cellars of Fontanafredda in Serralunga d'Alba. Fermentation takes place with destemmed pomace and lasts between 15 to 20 days in temperature-controlled stainless steel vats. Following fermentation, the wine undergoes aging in Slavonian oak barrels for at least two years, complemented by a minimum of one year of maturation in the bottle.
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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