Montalbera Ruché Monferrato La Tradizione 2022

Ruché di Castagnole Monferrato, a rare native of Piedmont, is produced in a restricted area of the Monferrato Astigiano, in just seven towns with Castagnole Monferrato at the centre, which stands out among them all for its sun-soaked hills. Limestone, dry soils make the terroir optimal for cultivating this precious native grape. There is no specific information on the origin of this name (Ruchè), the most accredited hypothesis is that it arrived in Piedmont in the Middle Ages, imported from France by monks who planted it in the lands around a monastery that no longer exists, a sacred place dedicated to San Rocco. Some believe that the name derives from 'roncet', an infectious degeneration that in times past attacked vines in the area and to which Ruchè proved particularly resistant. Others trace the derivation to the Piedmontese term 'roche', perched regions that are difficult to work. From recent studies carried out by the MONTALBERA company and careful analysis of the vine (DNA research conducted by MONTALBERA in collaboration with the BIOESIS scientific centre) and its organoleptic characteristics, it seems possible that it derives from ancient vines from Haute Savoie. From time immemorial, only present in the Asti area, it is an Asti vine by secular acquisition. With the 2010 vintage, it was granted DOCG status, further recognition of the outstanding quality of this rare native grape.