“Il vino è la poesia della terra”
(Wine is the poetry of the earth)
– Mario Soldati
In the book “The Wine Bible”, author Karen MacNeil states “In Italy, wine is food… wine and
bread are as essential to an Italian dinner as a fork and knife (probably more so),” which about sums up our experience with Mont’Albano – their world revolves around their beloved vino, and we’re the lucky ones that get to reap the rewards of that!
Mont’Albano is a really popular producer in our stable for a number of reasons. It’s…
Italian
Organic
Eco-conscious
Affordable
Delicious
Broad Range
So today, let’s unpack everything Mont’Albano is about and have a look at all the fantastic wines they have.
Mont’Albano – Il Vino Biologico dal 1983
Meet Mauro
“A lunatic”.
This was what Mauro Braidot used to be called among winemakers in the area when he started his organic production from 5 hectares of land in 1985. “I was green before it was in fashion!” he jokes.
In 1990 his estate was awarded the first official organic certification in Veneto, and 18 years later, Mauro sat down with a big smile on his face as Sartori di Verona, one of the powerhouses
of Venetian wines and also a popular Italian choice in our DN portfolio, decided to invest in Mont’Albano as an ideal partner to bring the organic wine to the international market.
For Mauro “sustainability” was, and continues to be, a life choice, a way of looking not only at the vineyards but at the world around us. Today he is happy and proud of his choice. It is a choice he will pass on to his children and, as with a sip of fine wine, to the tables of their customers and friends.
Mont’Albano For the Earth
“Respect: this is the true nature of organic”
Cultivating organically for over 40 years makes Mont’Albano quite the expert! For them, to achieve certification, they integrate a number of careful practices into their winery.
They preserve the territory rather than shape it, appearance is not paramount. They prefer manual work to mechanical to create a more connected and ‘whole’ product. They use alternative energy sources such as hydro, wind and solar.
Importantly, they place emphasis on long term soil fertility and never force the land to produce.
Mont’Albano doesn’t just leave their green philosophies at the vineyard ‘door’ though – it continues in all their practices. As they source grapes from other trusted growers, they hold them to the same high standards they set for themselves. These chosen suppliers produce organic grapes exclusively for Mont’Albano and follow practices as advised by Mont’Albano’s agronomists. Grapes are then vinified locally in selected facilities certified for transforming organic grapes into wine.
“Making organic viticulture, today more than ever, is an important responsibility towards the environment and consumers.”
While less ‘romantic’ than the image of clean, organic grapes being pressed in beautiful Venetian wineries, logistics and transportation are an important aspect to consider in wine (and the reason we’re able to enjoy them here in Aotearoa New Zealand!)
Mont’Albano strongly considers the environment in this regard too. Mont’Albano bottles are made from lighter glass to reduce weight for shipping and transportation. The Mont’Albano labels are printed on recycled paper with environment-friendly ink.
“This is how the need to be transparent and eco-sustainable throughout the supply chain arises, from logistics to packaging, to have a product that is not just a label but an essence.”
Mont’Albano for Friuli Tradition & Quality
Recognizable and unforgettable: Mont’Albano is a brand of excellence, a guarantee and synonymous with quality. There was once an ancient inscription carved in stone, along the dirt road that once linked Reggello to Florence, that read:
“Thou traveler who comes from afar, stop and taste the blissful wine at Montalbano Farm.”
That stone was swept away to widen the original road, but, even today, the elderly of the area still remember it and carry its words in their tales of wisdom.
“Il vino è la poesia della terra” – Mario Soldati
“Wine is the poetry of the earth”
Coloredo di Monte Albano is the town in Friuli Grave where Mont’Albano is centred, where the nearby 14th century castle – “Castello di Colloredo di Monte Albano” – is defined as “the castle of writers and storytellers” and can be seen depicted on theMont’Albano label designs.
Here lived the seventeenth-century poet Ermes da Colloredo, the great nineteenth-century writer Ippolito Nievo, and the author and traveler Stanislao Nievo. In the 19th century the castle became the home of Italian writer Ippolito Nievo, who found his inspiration for his novels and poems in the castle and neighbouring villages and particularly so for “Confessions of an Italian”, written in 1858, which sums up his love for Friuli in this excerpt:
“Friuli is a small compendium of the universe – mountain, plain and swamp in sixty miles from the North to the South….”
The Mont’Albano Range
Mont’Albano Prosecco Brut
- Organic
- 11% ABV | Dry
- “Straw yellow with persistent perlage. The nose reveals delicate acacia and wisteria florals, introducing fresh fruits such as pear and peach. Perfect as an aperitif and ideal accompaniment to various dishes, from seafood to exotic cuisine.” – Winery
Mont’Albano Pinot Grigio Friuli Grave DOC
- Organic
- 12.5% ABV | Off-Dry
- 93 Points: “A classic expression, showing fresh pear, lemon pith, green tea and oatmeal nuances, leading to a finely flowing palate that’s juicy and vibrant. Elegantly structured by crisp acidity, finishing lingering and mouth-watering.” -Sam Kim’s Wine Orbit (2021 Vintage)
Mont’Albano Bardolino Chiaretto Rosé DOC
- Organic
- 12.5% ABV | Dry
- Corvina Veronese, Rondinella, Molinara
- In 1968 Bardolino Chiaretto became one of the first regions to be given a DOC
- 4.5 Stars: “Fine, delicate and inviting, the bouquet shows white flesh nectarine, lemon peel and flinty notes with a hint of sweet cherry. The palate is delightfully charming with excellent focus and elegant mouthfeel, leading to a lengthy lively finish.” – Sam Kim’s Wine Orbit (2021 Vintage)
Mont’Albano Nero d’Avola Sicilia DOC
- Organic
- 12.5% ABV | Dry
- 100% Nero d’Avola
- Nero d’Avola – native to Sicily – is an incredibly food-friendly wine that pairs phenomenally with pizza in particular.
- “Voluptuous and silky. Intense flavours of cassis, fruitcake, black berry fruits and a core of medium tannins. Ripe and seductive.” – Phil Parker, Ponsonby News (2022 Vintage)
Mont’Albano Montepulciano D’Abruzzo DOC
- Organic
- 13% ABV | Dry
- 100% Montepulciano
- “Big and generous with a savoury oak backbone. The classic wine of Abruzzo in Italy, an italian red made from the Montepulciano grape variety. This wine is ripe and almost sweet with boysenberry, cassis, spiced plum, almond and leather. Medium to firm tannins. Hints of soy and truffle.” – Phil Parker, Ponsonby News (2022 Vintage)
Mont’Albano Primitivo Puglia DOCG
- Organic
- 13% ABV | Dry
- 100% Primitivo (AKA Zinfandel)
- 4 Stars: “Medium-full bodied, juicy fruit of redberry, young red plum, cola nut melded with a hint of leather and subtle spice. The red-fruited core possesses juicy acidity and brightens the fine-weaved tannin structure. This Primitivo is juicy with vibrant red fruit and a ripe tannin framework.” – Candice Chow (2021 Vintage)
