Monsecco, Nebbiolo, “Pratogrande” For Cheap

Increasingly, I find myself drawn to Nebbiolo from alpine regions in northern Piedmont; sometimes even more so than those from top Nebbiolo-growing appellations like Barolo and Barbaresco to the south. But whereas Barolo and Barbaresco seemingly produce more full bodied, oak-driven, and alcoholic wines every year, the wines of northern Piedmontese appellations are defined by their aromas, elegance and balance. They often remind me of the better 1970’s and 1980’s Barolos or Barbarescos I’ve tasted.  

Today’s wine comes from one of the region’s most storied family estates in northeastern Piedmont, Monsecco.  Roughly an hour south of Switzerland in the province of Novarra, Monsecco’s small collection of vineyards dot the hillsides in the villages of Gattinara, Sizzano, and Ghemme. Today’s wine is composed of Nebbiolo grapes from in and around all three villages, so it bares the lower tier regional classification of “Colline Novaresi”, versus an individual village name. It is also much more affordable than its single village siblings! Grapes for this wine were hand-harvested during the second half of October, 2010. Maceration occurred for one month before juice was pressed into large (15 hectoliter) barrels for two years. The wine was then aged in bottle for an additional year before its release.