Barbera d’Alba DOC “Conca Tre Pile” 2020 – Poderi Aldo Conterno

To produce the Barbera d’Alba DOC “Conca Tre Pile” Poderi Aldo Conterno, maceration and fermentation took place in temperature-controlled stainless steel tanks between 26-28°C. The must spent 8-10 days in contact with the skins. After this, the wine remained in tank for a few months before being transferred to oak barriques for 14 months of ageing.

The grapes are grown in the Conca Tre Pile vineyard, which is situated on a steeply sloping part of the Bussia Soprana hill in Monforte d’Alba. The soil here is clayey-calcareous, rich with calcium carbonate and iron. The Barbera vines are up to 45 years old.

Aldo Conterno is one of the historic names of Italian wine. The Conterno family has been making wine in Monforte d’Alba since at least the 1700s. Aldo’s grandfather, Giovanni Conterno, founded his own winery in 1908, which was later run by his son Giacomo. After a stint in the USA in the 1950s, Aldo worked with his older brother Giovanni in that winery until he decided to strike out on his own in 1969. Aldo’s three sons now make the wine (Stefano) and run the business (Franco and Giacomo). Over the years, production has been deliberately reduced in order to increase quality. From the same 25 hectares of 60-year-old vines, the family now produces 80,000 bottles rather than the 180,000 made in 1998. This intensity shines through in the wines.