ABOUT BRUNATE, THE PRESTIGE OF LA MORRA
By now, “cru” is a common enough term in the wine world, even outside of its country of origins, France; but to be clear, cru means the specific production areas that are included in the Barolo DOCG winemaking zones that can give their vineyard names to the wine. In Piedmont, cru are officially called MeGA, or Menzioni Geografiche Aggiuntive. Each one has been marked and labeled by the great eno-cartographer, Alessandro Masnaghetti. Brunate, plus another 165 menzioni, is one of these vineyards. It is also one of the most prestigious. From this vineyard, we make our Barolo Brunate DOCG.
The Brunate MGA below La Morra (CN))
It is said that this area makes Barolos with elegant aromas, an austere style, and a fuller body than others. The wines are rich, full, and round, with a higher percentage of alcohol and intense colors.
WHERE IS BRUNATE?
44°37’40.30”N 7°56’31.97”E, to be precise. In other words?
Its territory is delimited by administrative borders by the towns of Barolo and La Morra. The vineyards grow along one unbroken slope with a majestic crest, a position that gives it even sun exposure and a significant change in height. The soil is rich in calcium carbonates and manganese, and is composed of mixed clay and very fine, calcareous sands.
ETIMOLOGIA
Brunate is just the modern rendering of the word “Brinate,” a term once commonly used by the people of Barolo and La Morra that indicated this particular MeGA. An early document from the public archives of La Morra attests to the use of this name as far back as the 15th century. At that time, it was actually called “brinatam,” which is probably where “Brinate” comes from. Only in the last century was its named changed to the word that is used today.
DID YOU KNOW..?
In La Morra in the locality called Brunate is the Barolo chapel (officially called the chapel of Our Lady of Grace). Constructed in 1914, the building was never consecrated and was instead a refuge for farmers in the surrounding vineyards during heavy rains, thunderstorms, or hail. It was restored in the 1990s by the English artist David Tremlett, who painted its exterior in vivid colors. Today, it hosts cultural events that are open to the public.
View of Brunate, La Morra (CN)
OUR BRUNATE
We have been proprietors of the Brunate vineyards for two generations. We’re defined as “traditionalists” in our Brunate Barolo production, and we maintain low yields per hectare and attentively select each grape bunch for vinification. The wine matures for at least two years in large oak barrels. It’s a magnificent red with ruby hues, and on the nose it is rich, persistent, and full, with notes of vanilla, sweet spices, tobacco, mountain hay, and underbrush. It has a noble character, warm and velvety with a long, intense finish and aromatic persistence. Serve in ample, crystal glasses.
