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 Wine Tasting  Share this article     Summary of Wine Producers column Events 
  Wine Producers Issue 46, November 2006   
PrunottoPrunotto Cellar JournalCellar Journal  Contents 
Issue 45, October 2006 Follow DiWineTaste on Follow DiWineTaste on TwitterIssue 47, December 2006

Prunotto

With more than one century of history, Prunotto is one of the most representative wineries for the production of wines in Piedmont's Langhe, from Barolo to Barbaresco, from Dolcetto to Barbera

 The territory of Langhe in Piedmont indisputable represents a great land of grapes and wines. In fact, it is enough to pronounce its name in order to recall the powerful Nebbiolo - and therefore Barolo and Barbaresco - as well as Barbera and Dolcetto. Despite of the fame of being a land of great red and robust wines, in the Langhe are also found interesting white wines produced with the autochthonous Arneis and Favorita grapes. However, red wines are the ones to catch the attention of wine lovers. It is enough to think about the many differences which can be expressed by Nebbiolo cultivated and vinified in Langhe - its land - absolutely personal expressions of a territory. Barbaresco and Barolo, for example, are both produced with Nebbiolo, nevertheless they are two completely different wines despite the fact the two territories are only about 20 kilometers apart. Differences which are also very evident inside the same areas: every cru, as it is commonly known, makes a wine different from any other else. The merit for this remarkable result are the tenacity and obstinacy of local producers and the way of interpreting the wine in this land. Among the protagonists in the Langhe, with no doubt, there is Prunotto winery.


Prunotto winery
Prunotto winery

 The story of this winery begins in 1923, when Alfredo Prunotto - successful wine maker of the most prestigious wineries of those times - acquires the cooperative winery “Ai Vini delle Langhe”, founded at Alba in 1904. Among the founders of this cooperative winery, there was also Alfredo Prunotto, at those times very young but with very clear ideas. In 1922, when the reconstitution of the cooperative winery was about to expire, many partners, despite the year was excellent, decided to not provide their grapes anymore, therefore causing serious problems to the cooperative winery which was about to be closed. Alfredo Prunotto acquired the cooperative winery “Ai Vini delle Langhe” in 1923 and changed its name with his own. Thanks to the passion of Alfredo and his wife, Prunotto winery soon became one of the most affirmed wine businesses of Langhe, exporting its wines all over the world. After a long period of activity and of commitment to enology and wine, in 1956 Alfredo Prunotto retired from his activity.

 Prunotto winery becomes then property of the friend and wine maker Beppe Colla who, thanks to the help of Carlo Filiberti first and then of his brother Tino Colla, ensured continuity with the same passion and commitment. Prunotto winery did not have its own vineyards, it selected and vinified the best grapes coming from the vineyards of the Langhe, Alba and Monferrato, property of viticulturists with whom existed - and continue to exist - decennial relationships of cooperation based on the same productive vision and philosophy. In 1972, Prunotto winery expands its business and moves to San Cassiano, in the outskirts of Alba, where it is still found the headquarter of the winery. In 1989, Tuscan firm Antinori acquires the Prunotto winery, and begins to take care of the distribution of the wines. In 1990, Antinori acquires 7 hectares of vineyards in the famous cru Bussia, one of the most renowned areas in the Barolo production area. In 1995 they acquire 27 hectares of vineyards in the area of Agliano, where it is found the renowned Costamiole vineyard, famous for Barbera and with the clear aim of starting the production of wines with this grape.


The famous Bussia vineyard at Monforte
d'Alba
The famous Bussia vineyard at Monforte d'Alba

 In 1995, when brothers Colla decided to retire from the winery, Antinori takes full control over the production while keeping the excellent quality level started by Alfredo Prunotto and for which he dedicated his activity. It will be Albiera Antinori, the first-born of Marquis Piero Antinori, to delineate the personality of Prunotto winery, by dedicating particular attention and commitment. The expansion of the estate continues in 1997 with the acquisition of two new vineyards, one of 5 hectares in the Barbaresco area - “Bric Turot” - and other 5 hectares in the Treiso area which will be destined to the cultivation of Muscat Blanc. With these new acquisitions, Prunotto winery defines the management and the strict control of every production phase, from vineyard to bottling. Today, Prunotto winery represents one of the most important wine businesses in the Langhe, with a production based on the most important grapes and viticultural areas, from Barolo to Barbaresco, from Moscato d'Asti to Barbera.


 

 The yearly production of Prunotto winery is about 800,000 bottles, mostly reds and, in lesser part, Muscat Blanc and Arneis, as well as grappa obtained by the pomace of Muscat Blanc, Barolo Bussia and Ansolà. The production of Prunotto winery is based on quality criteria which begin with the selection of grapes, a scrupulous vinification and the continuous experimentation of new techniques, including the continuous system of pumpover and the vinification in cask barrels. The phases of aging in wood play a very important role in the production of Prunotto's wines. The winery is in fact equipped with new 100 hectoliters casks of French oak, 5 hectoliters tonneaux and 225 liters barriques, in order to have the most appropriate volumes and aging techniques according to each grape variety. Thanks to the availability of many types of casks, at Prunotto winery there is no predefined procedure for the aging of wines.

 Aging times and types of casks to be used are decided every year according to each variety of wines and of grapes, as well as the quality of every vintage. Also the phases of aging in bottle are scrupulously controlled. At Prunotto the wine is allowed to age in the bottle for the longest time possible, in order to release it on the market when can be ensured the best aging and quality conditions for every single type of wine. Today Prunotto winery owns vineyards in the best areas, the production facility was expanded in 2000 and equipped with the most modern technologies in order to ensure the best quality for wines. The quality of Prunotto's wines is the result of a long experience and a vision about the way of making wine which was developed in about one hundred years of history. The quality which can be found in Prunotto's wines after having poured them in a glass, is always the witness of a scrupulous wine making process, from vineyard to bottle, which since many years continues to charm wine lovers all over the world.

 




Score legend

Fair    Pretty Good    Good
Very Good    Excellent
Wine that excels in its category Wine that excels in its category
Good value wine Good value wine
Prices are to be considered as indicative. Prices may vary according to the country
or the shop where wines are bought




Monferrato Rosso Mompertone 2004, Prunotto (Piedmont, Italy)
Monferrato Rosso Mompertone 2004
Prunotto (Piedmont, Italy)
Grapes: Barbera (60%), Syrah (40%)
Price: € 10.80 Score: Wine that excels in its category
This wine shows an intense ruby red color and nuances of ruby red, little transparency. The nose denotes intense, clean, pleasing and refined aromas which start with hints of cherry, violet and plum followed by aromas of raspberry, strawberry, vanilla and black pepper. The mouth has good correspondence to the nose, a tannic attack and however balanced by alcohol, good body, intense flavors. The finish is persistent with flavors of cherry and plum. Monferrato Rosso Mompertone ages for 10 months in cask followed by 6 months of aging in bottle.
Food Match: Broiled meat and barbecue, Roasted meat, Stewed meat



Nebbiolo d'Alba Occhetti 2003, Prunotto (Piedmont, Italy)
Nebbiolo d'Alba Occhetti 2003
Prunotto (Piedmont, Italy)
Grapes: Nebbiolo
Price: € 13.20 Score:
This Nebbiolo d'Alba shows a brilliant ruby red color and nuances of garnet red, moderate transparency. The nose reveals intense, clean, pleasing and refined aromas which start with hints of cherry, raspberry and violet followed by aromas of strawberry, plum, rose, vanilla, licorice, cinnamon and chocolate. The mouth has good correspondence to the nose, a tannic attack and appreciable crispness, however balanced by alcohol, full body, intense flavors. The finish is persistent with flavors of cherry, plum and raspberry. Nebbiolo d'Alba Occhetti ages for 12 months in cask followed by 4 months of aging in bottle.
Food Match: Roasted meat, Braised and stewed meat, Hard cheese



Barbera d'Alba Pian Romualdo 2003, Prunotto (Piedmont, Italy)
Barbera d'Alba Pian Romualdo 2003
Prunotto (Piedmont, Italy)
Grapes: Barbera
Price: € 14.50 Score:
This Barbera shows an intense ruby red color and nuances of ruby red, little transparency. The nose denotes intense, clean, pleasing and refined aromas which start with hints of cherry, violet and plum followed by aromas of blueberry, strawberry, raspberry, vanilla, chocolate and menthol. The mouth has good correspondence to the nose, a tannic attack and pleasing crispness, however balanced by alcohol, good body, intense flavors. The finish is persistent with flavors of cherry and plum. Barbera d'Alba Pian Romualdo ages for 12 months in cask followed by 10 months of aging in bottle.
Food Match: Broiled meat and barbecue, Roasted meat, Stewed meat with mushrooms



Barbera d'Asti Costamiole 2001, Prunotto (Piedmont, Italy)
Barbera d'Asti Costamiole 2001
Prunotto (Piedmont, Italy)
Grapes: Barbera
Price: € 25.70 Score: Wine that excels in its category
The wine shows an intense ruby red color and nuances of garnet red, little transparency. The nose reveals intense, clean, pleasing, refined and elegant aromas that start with hints of cherry, plum and blueberry followed by aromas of violet, blackberry, black currant, vanilla, tobacco, licorice, cocoa, mace and menthol. The mouth has good correspondence to the nose, a tannic attack and however balanced by alcohol, full body, intense flavors. The finish is persistent with flavors of plum and cherry. A well made wine. Barbera d'Asti Costamiole ages for 12 months in barrique followed by 12 months of aging in bottle.
Food Match: Game, Roasted meat, Braised and stewed meat, Hard cheese



Barbaresco Bric Turot 2001, Prunotto (Piedmont, Italy)
Barbaresco Bric Turot 2001
Prunotto (Piedmont, Italy)
Grapes: Nebbiolo
Price: € 34.30 Score: Wine that excels in its category
Barbaresco Bric Turot shows an intense ruby red color and nuances of brick red, moderate transparency. The nose reveals intense, clean, pleasing, refined and elegant aromas which start with hints of cherry, plum and violet followed by aromas of raspberry, strawberry, blueberry, vanilla, cinnamon, licorice, tobacco, chocolate, mace, pink pepper and menthol. The mouth has good correspondence to the nose, a tannic attack and pleasing crispness, however balanced by alcohol, full body, intense flavors, agreeable. The finish is persistent with flavors of plum and cherry. A well made wine. Barbaresco Bric Turot ages for 12 months in cask followed by 10 months of aging in bottle.
Food Match: Game, Roasted meat, Braised and stewed meat, Hard cheese



Barolo Bussia 2001, Prunotto (Piedmont, Italy)
Barolo Bussia 2001
Prunotto (Piedmont, Italy)
Grapes: Nebbiolo
Price: € 38.00 Score:
Barolo Bussia shows a brilliant ruby red color and nuances of garnet red, moderate transparency. The nose reveals intense, clean, pleasing, refined and elegant aromas which start with hints of cherry, plum and violet followed by aromas of vanilla, strawberry, rose, licorice, tobacco, chocolate, coffee, cinnamon, pink pepper and menthol. The mouth has excellent correspondence to the nose, a tannic attack and pleasing crispness, however well balanced by alcohol, full body, intense flavors, agreeable. The finish is very persistent with long flavors of cherry and plum. A well made wine. Barolo Bussia ages for 24 months in cask followed by 12 months of aging in bottle.
Food Match: Game, Roasted meat, Braised and stewed meat, Hard cheese



Prunotto - Regione San Cassiano, 4/G - 12051 Alba, Cuneo (Italy) - Tel. +39 0173 280017 Fax: +39 0173 281167 - Winemaker: Gianluca Torrengo - Established: 1904 - Production: 600.000 bottles - E-Mail: prunotto@prunotto.it - WEB: www.prunotto.it


 Wine Tasting  Share this article     Summary of Wine Producers column Events 
  Wine Producers Issue 46, November 2006   
PrunottoPrunotto Cellar JournalCellar Journal  Contents 
Issue 45, October 2006 Follow DiWineTaste on Follow DiWineTaste on TwitterIssue 47, December 2006

Cellar Journal


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  Wine Producers Issue 46, November 2006   
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