In the northwest corner of Italy, you will find the area of Piedmont. This is where you encounter Monferrato, a region famous for its rolling hills and culinary treasures. It is also home to great wine.
Each year, tourists flock to the region to hunt for truffles, that gastronomic delight that commands thousands of dollars. Considered a rare delicacy everywhere, here, during truffle season, they are shaved by the handfuls over a simple plate of warm yellow pasta made with local Semolina flour and nearly two-dozen farm-fresh egg yolks. This “21 yolk” pasta with its distinctive yellow color with an orange hue, redolent with the heady aroma of freshly shaved truffles, is one of the annual culinary treasures that can only be had in Monferrato.
The area is also known for hazelnuts and is famous for Ferrero Rocher Chocolates. The original factory is in the town of Alba. It is almost impossible to obtain a visit to the factory, because the way that inventor Giovanni Ferrero perfected that layered chocolate ball with a thin rounded wafer and tiny hazelnut inside is a closely guarded secret.
Ferrero Roche candies are a triumph of modern engineering. I attempted to analyze its composition myself and gleaned that the assembly process is similar to that used in the creation of the Titleist Pro golf ball!
Alba is also the home of Nutella, that delicious indulgence that is a blend of hazelnuts, sugar and cocoa, invented by the pastry connoisseur Peitro Ferrero. The first jar was released from the Alba bakery on April 20, 1964, a day that will go down in culinary history! Not only is Nutella a must-have on Italian tables, but it’s also a worldwide sensation with Nutella restaurants located in almost every major city.
Monferrato is also famous for Colle Manora wines, which is produced on an historic property in the heart of Monferrato. Known for its old farmhouses that date back to the 19th century, Colle Manora is strongly rooted in the past with one foot angled toward the future.
Run by Marina Orlandi Contucci together with her husband Giorgio Schon, Marina combines her ancestral relationship with the culture of wine and her knowledge of finance and modern winemaking techniques.
Her bond with the land has led to a profound transformation of this historic property. New vineyards were planted among the old farmhouses and a futuristic structure with advanced technology was created to house the cellar.
The perfect geometry of the vineyards and their profoundly native grapes produce wines of distinction and represent the true synthesis of Italian cultural values: Quality, Elegance and Passion.
A testament to the diligence of Marina Orlandi Contucci, Cellar Manager Valter Piccinino, and winemaker Piero Ballario, elegance is shown in every bottle of wine they produce.
‘Mila’ Monferrato Bianco DOC 2017-Colle Manora ($18) is a blend of Estate Grown Chardonnay and Viognier grapes. The wine is dedicated to Mila Schon, the ‘Lady of Fashion’ whose love of Italian style and fashion inspire the creative style behind the wine.
International grape varieties, such as Chardonnay, are the pride of this historic area. They produce wines of great personality.
Elegant and refined, with an innate structure, Mila Monferrato Bianco 2017 is from the winery’s Piangalardo vineyard. Perfectly ripe grapes are gently pressed in whole bunches to preserve their delicate fruit flavors and soft aromatics. Allowed to clarify naturally, the juice is then fermented in small French Oak barrels. Allowed to rest ‘on the lees’ (spent yeast) for 4 to 8 months, the wine develops complex layers of aromas and flavors. Refinement follows in the bottle for at least 12 months before its release.
A deep yellow straw color greets you at first sight and tells you everything you need to know about the wine. Candied citrus flavors with hints of honey are balanced against a bright acidity. Viognier gives it the scent of white perfumed flowers.
Served in a decanter at room temperature to allow for full expression, the wine is a revelation when paired with shellfish and light pastas such as lemon pepper with fresh Sage leaves or lobster mac ‘n cheese with a blend of Asiago, Parmesan and Mozzarella cheeses. Add a pinch of freshly crushed Oregano leaves on the top to capture the savory aroma as the steam rises from the hot bubbly casserole. As you take a bite of the food, have a sip of the wine. This is as close to Nirvana as you can possible get! Visit collemanora.it to learn more about the wine and the historic estate.