About this wine
Vineyard and terroir
Alteno della Fontana comes from a 0.6 ha vineyard in Piobesi d’Alba. The historic place-name now falls within the broader Bric Paradiso geographical mention.
Grapes
100% Arneis.
Vinification
Whole grapes are pressed in a pneumatic press with protection against oxidation. Following a few hours of skin contact, the must ferments in stainless-steel tanks at 16°C.
Ageing
The wine remains on fine lees in stainless steel for 24 months. Monthly bâtonnage builds savoury character and structure. It is bottled in April of the second year after harvest and then matures for at least another 24 months in bottle.
Technical data
Roero Arneis Riserva DOCG. The vineyard covers 0.6 ha, and the first production was in 2018. Formats are 0.375 L, 0.75 L, 1.5 L, 3 L, 6 L, 9 L and 12 L.
Tasting profile
Golden yellow with straw-coloured highlights. The broad bouquet evokes flint, grapefruit, ripe white-fleshed fruit and dried flowers. The palate is full and harmonious, elegant and savoury, lively and agreeable.
Serving and pairing
Serve at 10–12°C. Suitable as an aperitif, with appetizers, shellfish, fish, pasta and risotto, or throughout a meal.
Label / history
Arneis was also called “White Nebbiolo” in the nineteenth century; this Riserva develops the variety through prolonged ageing. The Alteno della Fontana place-name first appeared in a 1594 estate-division deed between two members of the Damiano family, which owned Tenuta Carretta until 1811. The wine belongs to the Signature Labels series, whose labels feature the work of Piedmontese painter and sculptor Rosetta Avalle.