Grignolino Workshop with Ian d Agata in Asti-Alessandria
Posted on: 29-01-2021 om 08:55:35
| Karina Imschoot
The Grignolino fan club is expanding. Piedmont is emerging as a magnet for wine lovers who want to discover more than what is already in their climate controlled cupboards or wine cellars, such as classic Barberas and Nebbiolos. These local grapes, such as Grignolino, Vespolina, Verduno Pelaverga and so many others, are, as it were, a trigger for the taste palette of the open-minded wine consumer.
Wine journalists from all over the world are - let's be temporary for Corona times - invited by Ian d'Agata to experience a masterclass Grignolino at the place where the grignolino grape grows, in Asti and Alessandria.
Grignolino is one of the 548 varieties in Italy. In 1700, there was a great demand for light wines and at that time the Grignolino belonged to a niche market. Then came a period when the public wanted full-bodied wines and not a light wine with high acidity and tannins. Winegrowers wondered why they should produce 10,000 to 12,000 hectolitres when they could plant Nebbiolo on the same land. Today, "only" 8,000 hectolitres of Grignolino are produced by 12 producers.
Who is Ian d'Agata? Less well known to many in Europe, but in the US and Asia, he is the spokesman for Vinous, the highly regarded wine magazine in the US headed by Antonio Galloni.
Once the first step was taken, comparing a few young Grignolino's, three Grignolino's matured in tonneau came on the tasting tables, even up to 10 years old. And that was surprising because everyone thought Grignolino should be drunk young.
"Grignolino" comes from the dialect Grigné, which means "grimace".
The young Grignolino suits the everyday meal. Easy drinking wine, no great tannin power like the Nebbiolo. The young version can even be drunk chilled. Based on its acidity and its light colour, it is often placed next to the Nebbiolo and the Barbera's Superiore. No DOCG title for this wine but DOC.
Which Grignolino wines can you find on our website so you can compare young and old? Check this link and you can immediately compare young and old https://www.madeinpiedmont-wines.be/vini-rossi/grignolino-/
As you can see, we have two wineries from Alessandria - Vicara and Casalone - and one from the Asti region. This already offers 3 different interpretations of Grignolino!
Back