Tintero Vino Bianco NV

Tintero is a historic family winery located in Mango, in the heart of Piedmont's Moscato country in the province of Cuneo. The estate's story began in 1900 when Pierre Tintero, a Frenchman seeking work, arrived in Piedmont and found employment helping widow Rosina Cortese manage her struggling vineyard. Pierre, affectionately called "Pietrin" by locals, eventually married Rosina and together they revived the family vineyards, bottling their first Dolcetto in 1914.

Today, the winery is run by Marco Tintero, representing the fourth generation, alongside his daughter-in-law Cinzia, with guidance from his father Elvio, who began experimenting with frizzante wine production in the 1980s. The estate spans 30 hectares, with 20 hectares dedicated to Moscato grapes, making them specialists in Moscato d'Asti production.

Tintero's flagship wine is the single-vineyard Moscato d'Asti "Sorì Gramella," produced from their largest parcel in an exceptional limestone amphitheater vineyard. The vineyard's full southern exposure and steep 20% gradient provides optimal sun exposure without casting shadows between rows. "Sorì" means south-facing slope in Piedmontese, while Gramella refers to the specific area name.

The winery employs sustainable agricultural practices and maintains traditional winemaking methods. Beyond Moscato, Tintero produces Barbaresco from the Balluri and Bricco di Neive crus, as well as innovative blends like their festive rosato combining Barbera, Arneis, and Moscato. Marco Tintero has earned recognition for creating accessible, unpretentious wines that showcase Piedmont's diverse terroir while maintaining exceptional quality and value.

Piedmont, Italy's northwestern wine region, stands as one of the world's most prestigious viticultural areas, renowned for producing exceptional red wines from indigenous grape varieties. Located at the foot of the Alps, Piedmont translates to "foot of the mountain," perfectly describing this stunning landscape of rolling hills, medieval castles, and meticulously maintained vineyards that stretch across 16,500 hectares of DOC and DOCG classified land.

The region's crown jewels are Barolo and Barbaresco, both crafted exclusively from Nebbiolo grapes. These powerful, complex wines showcase the grape's signature "tar and roses" aromatics, developing incredible depth and elegance through extended aging in large oak casks. Barolo, often called the "King of Wines," requires minimum three years aging and can cellar for decades, while Barbaresco offers a more approachable yet equally sophisticated expression of Nebbiolo's potential.

Beyond Nebbiolo, Piedmont excels with Barbera and Dolcetto, two native varieties that form the backbone of everyday drinking. Barbera d'Alba and Barbera d'Asti produce wines with bright acidity and cherry flavors, while Dolcetto offers soft, immediately enjoyable reds perfect for casual dining. The region also produces exceptional white wines, particularly from Arneis in Roero and Cortese in Gavi, alongside sparkling wines from traditional grape varieties.

Piedmont's terroir combines continental climate with diverse soil types, from calcareous clay in Barolo's eastern communes to sandy limestone in the west. The region's eleven DOCG designations and forty-two DOC zones reflect this geological diversity, with each area expressing unique characteristics in the wines. Key wine-producing areas include the Langhe hills surrounding Alba, the Roero district, and Monferrato's rolling countryside.

The winemaking philosophy emphasizes tradition and terroir expression, with many producers employing large Slavonian oak botti for aging rather than small French barriques. This approach preserves the wines' authentic character while allowing slow, elegant development. Modern techniques complement traditional methods, ensuring consistent quality while respecting ancestral practices.

Piedmont wine tourism thrives year-round, with the autumn truffle season and spring vineyard visits being particularly popular. The region's exceptional cuisine, featuring white truffles, agnolotti pasta, and brasato al Barolo, creates perfect pairings with local wines.