12
WINES OF NORTHERN ITALY
Ceretto
Famed Italian gastronome and intellectual Luigi Veronelli wrote, “The land, the land, the land, the land,
always, the land.” The Ceretto family has sustained this same philosophy since the sixties when Bruno
and Marcello joined their father Riccardo in the family business in Alba. The two brothers’ objective was
to select vineyards in the most historically important areas for the production of great wines. This idea,
spawned by a visit to Burgundy, would prove the wisdom of the Ceretto family, placing their bottles
among the greats of enology and elevating Barolo and Barbaresco among the most appreciated and
prestigious wines in the world. The idea was revolutionary at the time for a territory in which the concept
of “cru” was completely unknown. It was this attention to terroir that got them recognized.
“Blangè” Arneis Langhe DOC
The Blangè vineyard, located on the hillsides of Vezza d’Alba, was purchased in 1985 with the sole
purpose of planting it with the Arneis grape. The name of the wine is derived from the French word
“boulanger,” or baker, as legend has it that this is where Napoleon’s bakers made their camp when his
armies ventured into the area.
“Rossana” Dolcetto d’Alba DOC
This 100% Dolcetto comes from the Rossana vineyard, which is located on a hill just south of Alba.
This area’s clay-loam soils and favorable exposure make this one of the best areas to cultivate the
Dolcetto grape. The wine is aged in stainless steel for seven months followed by brief bottle aging
before being released.
“Monsordo” Langhe Rosso DOC
Monsordo is both the name of the historical farmhouse that hosts the Ceretto winery in Alba, as well as
the hill where a number of the family’s vineyards are planted. This offering from the Ceretto family is made
from Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Syrah. All three varietals are vinified and aged separately in wooden
barrels for 18 months after which they are blended together to produce this elegant, ageworthy wine.