Once it accompanied the most refined menus of the Royal Houses. loved by King Umberto I who wanted it always present at his table, by Giovanni Lanza, president of the council from 1869 to 1873, who cultivated it in his vineyards, e also known by Pope Francis, whose grandfather had a vineyard in the Asti area where he produced Grignolino, the wine “Anarchist and individualist“, as Luigi Veronelli defined him, had and has strong tannins give it a somewhat edgy character but also the ability to age well. But precisely these characteristics today are the basis of its revival: rebellious, wild, anarchic "head fool", as it has been defined, the native vine of Monferrato, returns to having its own appeal on consumers, especially the younger ones.
The wine loved by King Umberto I that Veronelli called Anarchist and Individualist is experiencing a second renaissance
And al «Grignolino, the Noble Rebel», one is dedicated event scheduled for Saturday 11, Sunday 12 and Monday 13 March in Grazzano Badoglio (Asti) during which you can get acquainted with one hundred producers and taste the many nuances of this vine. The event is in its second edition. In the control room, the Italian Sommelier Association of Piedmont, with the delegations of Asti and Casale, supported by the Barbera d'Asti and wines of Monferrato Consortium, by the Colline del Monferrato Casalese Consortium, by the Associations of Grignolino d'Asti Doc Producers -Piemonte Doc Grignolino and Monferace, by the Gran Monferrato Consortium and with the patronage of the Municipality of Grazzano Badoglio.
«The first edition was a success, even unexpected in size - say Paolo Poncino and Daniele Guaschino, delegates of Ais Asti and Ais Casale - The spaces will be doubled to make the tasting more comfortable for the public. We have thought of an in-depth analysis of the vine with some masterclasses». And they announce: «New this year will be the presence of a guest wine: Freisa. Grape variety of the year 2022, Freisa shares part of its DNA with Grignolino, hence the idea of making it a travel companion thanks to the support of the Più Freisa association».
Grignolino and Freisa will be given voice by the sommeliers of the two delegations who, at the tasting tables, will talk about these vines in all their different nuances, and will talk about the territories and the different styles of winemaking and ageing.
The three days will take place in the premises of the former schools in via IV Novembre 15: Saturday from 11 to 19, Sunday from 11 to 18, Monday from 11 to 17. On 11 and 12 March the entrance will be dedicated to the public while the day of 13 March will be dedicated to sector operators as well as the public. The event will be free admission without reservation with a cost for the tasting of 15 euros (10 for Ais members). On the 13th free admission for accredited professional operators.
The catering part will be entrusted to the Silos restaurant, sincere cuisine of Turin which will study dishes to experiment with the different possible combinations with grignolino, a wine with great versatility.
From 11 to 13 March tastings and masterclasses in Grazzano Badoglio with over one hundred producers
In this edition three different great tastings will be held in the upper room of the Bagatto restaurant in Grazzano Badoglio. A institutional tasting organized by Ais Piemonte and conducted by the regional president Mauro Carosso will be held on Monday. Saturday and Sunday, two tastings: the first organized by the Consortium for the protection of Colline del Monferrato Casalese wines in collaboration with the Monferace Association and with the support of the Gran Monferrato Consortium. It will be conducted by Paolo Massobrio, Italian journalist, writer and food and wine expert, creator of Golosaria. The other from the Grignolino d'Asti Doc and Piemonte Doc Grignolino Producers Association with the support of the Barbera d'Asti Consortium and Monferrato wines and conducted by Francesco Saverio Russo, a well-known Italian wine blogger.
La production of grignolino is around 2 and a half million bottles: the DOC grows by 3%. Grignolino d'Asti and exceeds one million bottles, the Grignolino del Monferrato Casalese DOC does well with around 435 bottles. Even the Piedmont Grignolino DOC exceeds one million bottles with a 7,3% increase compared to 2021.
The origin of the name is uncertain: someone claims that Grignolino derives from “grignole”, a dialectal term from Asti which in ancient times indicated grape seeds, which in this variety are more numerous than in other vines and are responsible for its marked tannins. For others it would be related toexpression “grigné”, in Piedmontese to smile, because the expression that, due to tannins, is drawn on the face of those who drink it would resemble a smile. According to the studies of the scholar Enza Cavallero, the first written document in which Grignolino is mentioned (as Berbexinius) is a deed of lease dated 1249, transcribed by the monks of the Chapter of Sant'Evasio of Casale Monferrato.
