# Monferrato Nebbiolo DOC (2024)

- **Producer:** Ricossa
- **Colour:** red
- **Type:** still
- **Grapes:** Nebbiolo
- **Region:** Piemonte, Italy
- **Style:** Classic
- **Alcohol:** 13.5%
- **Average price:** €12
- **Contains sulphites:** Yes
- **When to drink:** Now or Later
- **Serving temperature:** 16–18 °C
- **Aromas & flavours:** cherry, raspberry, plum, rose, violet, liquorice, vanilla, cedar, leather, forest floor

## About this wine

Ricossa's history dates back to the late 19th century when the Ricossa family founded an award-winning distillery in the outskirts of Asti, Piedmont. Today, under the Argea wine group, Ricossa continues to champion the traditional grape varieties of Piedmont. This Monferrato Nebbiolo DOC showcases the versatility of the Nebbiolo grape outside its famous Langhe strongholds. Grown in the rolling hills of Monferrato, a UNESCO World Heritage site known for its diverse soils and microclimates, this wine offers an accessible yet authentic expression of Piedmont's signature red grape.

## Interesting facts

- Ricossa started as a prize-winning distillery in Asti during the late 1800s before transitioning to winemaking.
- The Monferrato region is a designated UNESCO World Heritage site, celebrated for its ancient winemaking landscape.
- Monferrato Nebbiolo DOC offers a softer, more approachable style of Nebbiolo compared to its muscular neighbors, Barolo and Barbaresco.

## Food pairing

Nebbiolo's high acidity and firm tannins require foods with rich proteins and fats to soften the structure. Earthy dishes featuring mushrooms or truffles mirror the grape's natural savory undertones, while the wine's bright acidity cuts beautifully through rich meats and buttery pasta dishes.

## Wine making process

The Nebbiolo grapes are harvested at optimal ripeness and undergo traditional temperature-controlled fermentation in stainless steel tanks to preserve the fresh primary fruit characteristics. Gentle pump-overs are utilized to extract color and fine tannins without over-extracting bitterness. Following fermentation, the wine is aged for a short period in a combination of stainless steel and neutral oak casks to soften the grape's naturally high tannins while maintaining its vibrant acidity and bright red fruit profile.