A special event, from 15 to 17 March in Grazzano Badoglio thanks the direction of Ais

Over 140 labels for tasting, Masterclasses, Music, Food and Art

Final preparations are underway for the third edition of « Grignolino: il Nobile Ribelle » (Grignolino: the Noble Rebel), scheduled from 15 to 17 March in Grazzano Badoglio (AT), in a vibrant setting at the centre of the two main production areas: the Monferrato Casalese and the Asti area.
Under the direction of Ais Piemonte and the coordination of the delegations of Ais Asti and Casale Monferrato, the three-day event will focus on the rediscovery of the different seasonality and characteristics of more than 140 Grignolini, selected from the fertile terroirs of the vignerons who are members of: Consorzio tutela vini Colline del Monferrato Casalese, Consorzio della Barbera d’Asti e Vini del Monferrato, Associazione Monferace and Associazione Produttori di Grignolino d’Asti Doc e Piemonte Doc Grignolino.

The appointment is at no. 15 Via IV Novembre where, welcomed by Ais sommeliers, wine enthusiasts will be taken on a noble, rich and slow sensory journey, enhanced by the story-telling of the sommeliers themselves. The spaces will be divided by type of vinification and ageing, by production area and vintage. Among the curiosities/news, there will be: the Banco dei Grignolini storici (with labels from 2012), the Banco Ospite reserved for Freisa wine, and the crispy bubbles of rosé sparkling wine based on Grignolino, both in the Martinotti Method (in homage to the Monferrato native Federico Martinotti, in 1895, inventor of autoclave fermentation and cold in oenology) and in the Metodo Classico. Paired with small appetisers by the Gran Monferrato Consortium, while the actual table, with local delicacies and specialities, will be set up by the Ristorante Centrale in Moncalvo.

Once again this year, the organisers have included two solo exhibitions of art by as many South Tyrolean creative artists to combine the art of wine with contemporary painting and sculpture, united by the expressive force capable of stimulating and gratifying the senses.
They are Ariel Trettel, with sculptures and installations based on natural elements, and Carl Pfeil, with abstract excursions that hark back to the origins, colours and intensity, typical of his art as, by extension, of Grignolino.

Grand opening on Friday 15 March at 3 p.m. in the historic premises of Ristorante Bagatto (in front of the event venue), with the remarkable tasting led by Ais Piemonte President Mauro Carosso. Eleven Grignolino del Monferrato Casalese Doc and d’Asti (vintages between 2019 and 2022), plus two out-of-programme wines: a rosé bubble and an old 2012 vintage. The 2019 vintages are all Monferace, a 100% Grignolino project that matures for at least 40 months, 24 of which in wooden barrels. In the evening, dinner with Barbera in Portacomaro, with Grignolino- Barbera pairings. At 11 a.m. on Saturday 16 March, ribbon-cutting ceremony.

Satellite event, is the extraordinary participation of Jazz ReFound, for an original combination of « noble and rebellious » notes and flavours, scheduled for Sunday 17 March. Accompanying the eno-musical journey will be Jz:RF Selectors, Vinyl Confessor and Andreww.
« The 2024 edition has become even richer and more full-bodied to offer a renewed immersive experience in the world of Grignolino, a unique opportunity to get to know, in a single event, the many facets, territories, vinification and maturation techniques that characterise it, » spoils Paolo Poncino, delegate of Ais Asti. « The protagonists will be the indomitable Grignolino and its territory, a fascinating reality with enchanting landscape, historical and cultural implications ».
Info on: ais.piemonte.it
Furthermore, this year, the Casale Monferrato area is celebrating four major recognitions/occurrences: European City of Wine 2024 Gran Monferrato and Alto Piemonte, 60 years of Italian DOC wines, 10 years of Unesco Heritage of Wine-growing Landscapes and 100 years since Federico Martinotti’s death.