The fine wines of the Langhe > Grignolino wine

Grignolino wine is one of the most characteristic wines in Piedmont, and its value is even more elevated by the limited quantity which is produced. The funny name “Grignolino” derives from “grignole”, a dialectal word which means “grape seed”, even though another thesis makes it derive from the verb “grignare”, another dialectal word which means “to laugh”. Well-known ampelographers, such as Demaria and Leardi, state that the most ancient names of Grignolino wine were: Barbesino, Balestra, Verbesino, Arlandino, Rossetto. Although the first news about Grignolino wine date back to the end of 1700, it seems that it had was already well-known at that time and it was utilized to produce “chiaretto [light red wine]” wine in XVI century. Its origin is localized between Asti and Casale, which nowadays still represent the main area for the cultivation of this wine, even though it spread in other part of the province of Alessandria. The area of Grignolino used to be more extended than it is nowadays, but the spreading throughout Europe of the terrible grapevine diseases led as a consequence to the reduction of its cultivation areas. Grignolino wine has many lovers; some of them are famous, such as Giovanni Lanza, Prime Minister during the “National Unity”, who also produced this wine, and King Umberto I, who preferred it rather than other wines on his table. The production area is the hilly territory around Asti; hilly attitude vineyards are the only ones suitable for its cultivation; there are 623 Grignolino wine producers and 419,72 hectares of vineyards, which lead to a maximum annual production of 21.823 hl, and to an average one of 15.245 hl; Grignolino and Freisa (until 10%) vines are the only ones allowed; its minimum alcoholic content is 11%; its colour is a more or less intense ruby red, tending to an orange tonality if aged; its smell is delicate and persistent, characteristic; its taste is dry, slightly tannic, pleasantly bitter with a persistent aftertaste; no ageing are considered; its ideal matchings are Italian appetizers, soups, vegetable cakes, boiled meat.