The Italy Wine Project

Regions / Piedmont

DOCGStill huntingModerate

Ruchè di Castagnole Monferrato DOCG

An aromatic red from a grape found only in this pocket of Monferrato, saved from extinction by a parish priest in the 1960s. Medium ruby, an intense nose of rose, violet, wild strawberry and white pepper, then a dry palate with more tannin and alcohol than the perfume suggests, moderate acid and a slightly bitter finish. Drink within five years. Montalbera makes most of it; Crivelli and Luca Ferraris are the growers' names.

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Bottles I'm chasing

ProducerWinePriceBuy
Montalbera
Ruchè di Castagnole Monferrato 'La Tradizione'
The largest producer and the easiest to find; textbook rose, strawberry and pepper with a dry, grippy finish.
$18 to $25Wine-Searcher
Crivelli
Ruchè di Castagnole Monferrato
Small grower version, more floral and delicate than Montalbera, sold through Italian specialists.
$20 to $28Wine-Searcher
Luca Ferraris
Ruchè di Castagnole Monferrato 'Clasic'
Family estate that pushed the grape's promotion to DOCG, ripe strawberry, violet and spice.
$18 to $24Wine-Searcher