Monterustico Piedmont Red

Tasting Note Monterustico Langhe Bianco

A lively and elegant red wine from Piemonte, made from local grapes. The aroma reveals wild strawberries, cherries, rose petals, orange zest, and rhubarb, complemented by sweet spices and a subtle smoky touch. On the palate, the wine is juicy and fruity, with refreshing acidity, beautiful roundness, and silky tannins. A surprisingly versatile Piemonte Rosso with both freshness and character.

Wine & Food

Monterustico Langhe Rosso is very versatile due to its refreshing acidity and soft tannins. Delicious with pizza, pasta with tomato sauce, risotto, grilled chicken, pork, mushrooms, and Italian cured meats.

Additional information

The wine is a project of G.D. Vajra, the renowned family behind famous Barolo wines, who aim to revitalize a historic and partially abandoned wine region around Dogliani with Monterustico (rustic mountain).

The grapes come from Farigliano and its surroundings, on the right bank of the Tanaro river. The proximity of the river provides a moderate microclimate, while cool Alpine winds provide cooling. This helps the grapes ripen gradually and retain their freshness and aromas.

The vineyards are located on soils that were once part of an ancient seabed, about 15 million years ago. The subsoil consists of clay, marl, and calcareous sediments. This partly explains the combination of fruit, freshness, and minerality in Monterustico wines.

The blend always consists of Dolcetto, Barbera, and Nebbiolo, but the proportions can vary per vintage. The winemakers adjust the blend to best express the character of each vintage.

Aldo Vajra of the eponymous Vajra winery has always been a bit rebellious. And it's a good thing, because this trait has led to this magnificent winery with its authentic wines. The story begins when Aldo, at the age of fifteen, is pulled off the streets by his father during a demonstration in Turin and sent to his grandparents' farm. Aldo spends a lot of time in the vineyards that summer, where his interest in winemaking is piqued. He joins Suole e Salute, an organization for organic wines in Italy. At just 18, he makes his first organic wines in Piedmont.

Fun Fact

The Monterustico Piemonte Rosso was the very first wine made on the Monterustico estate. From the beginning, the wine was intended as an honest and characterful introduction to the rural wine tradition of Farigliano. The blend has since been refined, but Dolcetto, Barbera, and Nebbiolo still form the basis.