Vittorio Bera e Figli Arcese 2021

The Vittorio Bera e Figli winery in the heart of the Piedmont region, specifically in Canelli near Asti, dates back to 1785. The estate is renowned for its production of Moscato d'Asti, a sparkling wine that has been a hallmark of the region for centuries. The Bera family was among the first to bottle and market their wines in the Canelli area, distinguishing themselves from mass producers with a commitment to organic farming and natural winemaking.

The vineyards, covering about 12 hectares, are perched on steep, southeast-facing slopes rich in calcareous marl soil, a remnant of ancient oceanic beds. This unique terroir is ideal for the Muscat Blanc à Petits Grains variety, which the Bera family cultivates organically, maintaining a healthy vineyard ecosystem. The focus on biodiversity and sustainability has been a defining feature of the estate's philosophy, with all grapes hand-harvested and winemaking done with minimal intervention. The winery also produces reds like Barbera and Dolcetto, which are vinified naturally without filtration or added sulfites.

In addition to the renowned Moscato, the Bera estate crafts white blends such as Arcese, made from local grapes like Arneis, Cortese, and Favorita. These blends showcase the diversity of the Piedmont region. The estate's commitment to natural practices and rich history make Bera Vittorio e Figli a key player in the organic and natural wine movement in Italy.

The region of Piedmont, where the winery is located, is famous for Moscato and for producing some of Italy's most prestigious wines like Barolo and Barbaresco. The diverse landscape, with its rolling hills and varying microclimates, contributes to the wide variety of wines produced in the area.

Piedmont, or Piemonte as it's known in Italian, is often hailed as the "Burgundy of Italy" by wine enthusiasts. This esteemed wine-producing region sits in Italy's northwestern corner, nestled at the base of the mountains. Surrounded by France to the west, Valle d'Aosta northwest, Lombardy east, and Liguria south, Piedmont is also home to Turin, its capital and largest city.

A standout feature of Piedmont, much like Veneto, is its rich tapestry of indigenous grape varieties. These varietals create a diverse range of unique and exceptional wines. A key aspect of Piedmont's traditional winemaking is the practice of using single grape varieties, and avoiding blends, which highlights the region's dedication to showcasing individual grape characteristics.

Piedmont's comparison to Burgundy stems from several crucial factors. Firstly, there's a strong emphasis on quality over quantity, with many wineries being small, family-owned, and harmoniously integrated with their natural surroundings. This focus aligns perfectly with the principles of natural wine production.

Secondly, the region adopts a terroir-driven approach to viticulture and winemaking. Vineyards are meticulously divided into cru (or zonazione in Italian), each producing wines with distinct and specific characteristics.

Lastly, the renowned Nebbiolo grape, a staple of Piedmont and globally celebrated, is treated similarly to Burgundy's Pinot Noir. Notably, Nebbiolo wines are never blended.