Casalone, traditional winery using modern technology

This blog is not about a general item but about one of the wineries we distribute, Casalone.  Consider this rather as a voyage of discovery through the Casalone Vini di Lu Monferrato vineyards and cantina.

The Casalone are a family of winegrowers who have been growing vines in Monferrato for three centuries. The founder was Petrus Hieronymus Casalone who arrived in Lu in 1734 as a settler and winemaker of the Marquis Millo. Today, the company has 10 hectares of vineyards and produces 40,000 bottles a year. It is run by Paolo and Pier Angelo, although father Ernesto, at the age of 85, continues to supervise the work and choices of his children. It was he himself, in the 1980s, supported by his wife Maria Luisa Terri, who believed in what was then, in the Monferrato tradition, called Malvasia Greca, now registered in the National Register of Vine Varieties with the Malvasia Moscata denomination.

The Casalone Vini winery is located in the charming village of Lu Monferrato at an altitude of 280 metres, a village that constantly surprises us, because wherever you are, you are surrounded by hills colored by vineyards and plants that offer a unique spectacle in every season.

At the moment the farm has 10 hectares of vineyards, mostly composed of calcareous soil; they are located on the top of the Bricchi Santa Maria, Morlantino and San Benedetto, cultivated according to the canons of the "Integrated Agriculture" (measure 214). We find the traditional grape varieties of Monferrato, Barbera, Grignolino, Freisa and Cortese, as well as the international Merlot and Pinot Noir.  The cellar has a new room with steel tanks and an old part with old tanks restored in masonry, barriques and tonneaux.

Malvasia Moscata

A name that perhaps recalls the origin of the vine - explain the Casalone family - the legend says that it began in the harbor of a small Greek town in the Peloponnese, Monemvasia, from where the Venetians imported the vines in the thirteenth century.

Father Ernesto bet that no one made wine from these grapes anymore. In the mid 90's we decided to do some replanting and restyling of the label. Over the years, together with our oenologist Giovanni Bailo, we planted and experimented with various wine-growing products.

Today the Monvasia is registered in the "Registro Nazionale delle Varietà di Viti" (National Register of Vine Varieties) with the name "Malvasia Moscata". as a dry still wine, a combination of classic and sweet method of overripe grapes.  Attention, this wine can absolutely not be labelled as a sweet wine or a dessert wine.

The Casalone family grows Malvasia Moscata on a hectare and a half; another hectare has just been planted. It is called Monvasia in its three versions: "It is an acronym of Monferrato and Malvasia" explain the two Casalone brothers. The Monvasia Bianca is produced in 7000 bottles (wine previously described), 3000 the Monvasia Metodo Classico and 1000 the Monvasia Passito.

Last year began a collaboration with the CNR of Turin. Researcher Stefano Raimondi says: "The presence in Piedmont of Malvasia grapes, presumably white grapes, has been attested in the statutes of Mondonio since 1468.

For the first complete description, we must wait until the end of the 19th century: Demaria and Leardi are also talking about the contraction in the use of this grape variety. The historical importance of Malvasia Moscata is demonstrated not only by its numerous references, but also by its distribution in each wine-growing area. Today, in the Alessandria region, the Asti (to the north and south of the Tanaro), the Pinerolese, the Chierese and even in the north of Piedmont, the plants have recovered, indicating widespread cultivation and a consistent historical presence'.

The Spumante Monvasia brut 60 months

This wine was first produced on the occasion of the celebration of ten years of production of the classic method 36 months. with thus the same malvasia moscata grape, according to the classical method.   Fresh, aromatic, floral nose of rose with hints of peach, sage and yeast and light nougat tones to embellish the whole. This wine is pleasantly dry and bitter on the aftertaste. Wonderful as an aperitif and with seafood.