Maurizio Ferraro #SoloVino Ruche' 2018

100% Ruche from Maurizio Ferraro's organically farmed vineyards in Montemagno, a village in the province of Asti in the Basso Monferrato. The grapes are hand-harvested, de-stemmed, pressed, and transferred to stainless steel vats for spontaneous fermentation with native yeasts. The wine is unfined, unfiltered, and bottled with zero added sulfites. Ferraro is a member of S.A.I.N.S., the French organization for producers who add no additives of any kind to their wines.

Ruche is a rare indigenous red grape confined to seven municipalities in the Asti province. It is intensely aromatic, producing wines with violet and rose floral notes, wild berry fruit, and a characteristic white pepper spice. Despite its pale ruby color, the variety can carry noticeable tannins and a slightly bitter finish. The Ruche di Castagnole Monferrato appellation received DOC status in 1987 and was elevated to DOCG in 2010.

Montemagno sits in the rolling hills of Basso Monferrato, on soils of old marine origin composed of clay, sand, and limestone. The continental climate brings warm summers and cold winters, with diurnal temperature swings that help retain acidity in the grapes. The Monferrato hills were designated a UNESCO World Heritage site in 2014.