Roero a hill area reaches into the province of Cuneo between the Langhe and the Monferrato. Roero is a land with a long reputation for choice wines. The Astigian marls forming the middle and upper slopes of this area make an excellent milieu for the "Nebbiolo" species and played a decisive part in conferring on the wine itself the specific taste and aroma that have led to the recognition of its appellation. There is another wine, the "Favorita". This was the object of great attention, so much so that its grapes were "favoured" over other white varieties, and regarded ad excellent both for the table and for winemaking.
The Arneis variety, on the other hand, is native to Roero. In the 18th century, the cultivation of "Arneis" was already widespread throughout the Roero area.
In those days, however, there was a preference for sweetish wines and Arneis was drunk sweet.
Evidence in this direction can be discerned in the traditional custom of planting Arneis vines so as to have some early sweet bunches for the table.Furthermore, some plants were also insered between the rows in order that the aroma and the sweetness of their first grapes would divert the birds away from the red grapes, then regarded as more important.
What the birds spared was vinified sweet to hearten the womenfolk and also refresh the much more impenitent spirits of the men, who kept a stock in reserve for merry "Viae Crucis" during the last days of Carnival, when they went from one farmhouse to another to gather a store of wine for their revelries.
Nobles wines of Roero ,Monta' D'Alba, Canale, Baldissero, Sommariva Perno as:
Arneis
Favorita
Nebbiolo
Roero
Roero Arneis
Last updated 30-Jun-97
Webmaster Elsy : elsy@itbiz.com