The Brenta, the wineyards and the fabulous wines of Carpeneto. Trip to southern Piedmont, Italy

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The vineyard is cultivated throughout the Monferrato, but reaching Carpeneto, a town close to the highway curves connecting Alexandria and Ovada, it has the pleasant impression that here is grown a bit 'more. How far the human eye, he sees endless rows that descend and go back to the gentle slopes of the hills, and it is not difficult to see what the public is proud of this ancient tradition: there are old presses and barrels here and there, used as vases for flowers, and even the farm that awaits us has a name in the subject: the Brenta, which is a type of basket or a basket of wood, wicker or woven viburnum form of a truncated inverted cone, open at the top, and equipped with two belts to be worn on the shoulders and used to transport the grapes during harvest.

A Carpeneto is also the Estate Cannon, Centro Sperimentale wine of Piedmont. This charming property, which belonged to the family from 1600 to 1980 Cassone, was taken over by the Piedmont Region in 1985. Its territory covers 54 hectares, of which 20 are cultivated in experimental vineyard. Since the '80s, following the works of land development, the vineyards have been re-planting several varieties with different combinations of rootstocks and clones. We have designed an experimental center in wine so unique in Piemonte, where experimentation with the vine and wine are typically conducted research, such as soil management and plant protection treatments. The place is fascinating even for someone who is an expert in viticulture, and in fact only a sip of wine: the main building, which is also part of a church is still consecrated, is an architectural gem from the great historical and artistic . Particularly well preserved are the decorations, wood and stucco decorations. The Estate will host the June 11 Cannona next great food and wine event that brings out the wineries of the area managed by women: In the wake of De Andrè, in pink wine under the stars.

We arrived at through the village Carpeneto Old House, a place where there is still a hamlet called Peagium, from which, at the time of disagreements between the Marquis of Monferrato and the nascent Alexandria, paid the toll to enter Carpeneto. We arrived shortly after the breaking of the Villa Madonna, born at the time of the incursions of the Saracens. In fact, in the 999 scaraceni destroyed the Convent of San Donino and farmers who lived near the convent, took refuge on the height closest to and most secure, safe from predators. We, too, take refuge there, at the Villa Madonna, but only for a short holiday with good food, good wine and rest at the farmhouse in the stunning scenery of the vineyards. Looking up from the courtyard, you see in the distance the blue mountains that mark the border with Liguria. At dinner, enjoying the excellent roast game of the Brenta, between a chat and a few glass of wine, Mr. Flavio learn that the famous Anchorman Cristina Parodi got married right here at Carpeneto in 1995, because his family is from this country. Although she is the most prominent, is not the only important name of this town, known for his ability in the course of history, which for centuries has given the many vexations, to maintain their independence. Carpeneto also gave birth to a famous folklore of the second half of the nineteenth century, Giuseppe Ferraro, who gathered in several volumes customs, songs, legends and even the peculiarities of spoken Monferrato. His work is comparable to that performed Giuseppe Pitre in Sicily, which Ferraro was also a friend. The stories he has collected is also populated by a remarkable string of witches, magical animals and plants, to demonstrate the existence of a folk magical charm, a feature that is underlined by Night Magic event, which takes place every year in Carpeneto in August.

Let's go home with our "Brenta" imaginary overflowing with emotions, images of vineyards and the clear blue sky of genuine country hospitality and the magical stories of which it seems more magical than our own journey.

Frances Bertha

For information: The Farm Brenta
Hamlet of Villa Madonna
Cascina Zunino, 223
0143/876028