Luigi Spertino, Mombercelli
Mombercelli is the small village in Asti where Luigi Spertino, Mauro Spertino’s great grandfather started to make wines in the end of the 19:th century. In 1977 Mauros father, also named Luigi took over from his father Andrea, and in 1978 he started to bottle all their wines under their own label, which had been sold in bulk until then.
Mauro has been working with the vines and in the winery with his parents as long as he can remember, and is now the one that’s responsible for the production. His parents are still around, but are enjoying a slower pace today, they are both over 80 years old. They have 11 hectares up on the steep east and north-east facing slope just above their house. The vineyards are all planted by Mauro’s parents with Grignolino, Barbera and Cortese.
The cellar is situated under the house where Mauros parents still live. Apart from their wines, they also produce a white Vermouth, ‘Belle Epoque’, an ancient recipe that Luigi took up production of some 30 years ago.
Their Grignolino is extra light red, juicy and elegant but with both depth and structure, the Barbera combines a lot of fruit and classical structure with elegance and also high drinkability. The white is mineral and structured with nice depth. The Vermouth is herbal, spicy with well-balanced sweetness and acidity.
2015, 2017 Cortese
Soil: Clay, sand and limestone
Grape: Cortese
Appellation: IGT
Age of Vines: Planted 1996
Vinification: Destemmed then fermented for 10 days with the skins in stainless steel, before gentle pressing and then continuous ageing in stainless steel tanks for 16 months.
2019 Barbera d’Asti La Bagita
Soil: Clay, sand and limestone
Grape: Barbera
Appellation: Barbera d’Asti DOCG
Age of Vines: Planted 1979-2005
Vinification: Destemmed then fermented for 25 days with the skins in stainless steel tanks, before gentle pressing and then continuous ageing on old oak until bottling in spring 2020.
Belle Epoque Vermouth
Made from their Cortese wine, which is mixed with infused alcohol (very secret recipe) and sugar. This recipe is inspired by the Belle Epoque period – hence the name. Luigi started produce this 30 years ago after finding this original 19th century recipe.