2016 Carussin Completo Vino Rosso 1L
2016 Carussin Completo Vino Rosso 1L
Region: Monferrato Asti < Piemonte < Italy
Grapes: 65% Barbera + Freisa, Dolcetto, Grignolino
Vineyard/Cellar Stats: Certified biodynamic farming; clay/limestone soils; aged in fiberglass tank; bottled unfined/unfiltered with minimal added SO2 at bottling only; 11.5% ABV
Winemaker: Bruna Ferro
The Ferro family is pretty special. Bruna is the boss lady, working with husband Luigi and sons Luca & Matteo to make soulful, authentic Piemontese wine (the old-school kind) while also giving back both locally and globally. On a global level, they’re working to help protect the biodiversity of the Amazon Rainforest by donating 100% of the profits from the sale of one wine to the Otongo Association that supports rainforest protection. Home in Piemonte, Bruna uses her flock of adorable donkeys as therapy animals for local children - she brings in troubled kids to work on the farm, hang with the donkeys and learn to communicate through nature. The kids also design wine labels.
Originally founded in 1927, the 5th gen Ferro family farm also includes fields of barley for the production of their Clan!Destino beer. No chemicals have been harmed in either the land or the cellar since 1984, and they’ve been certified Biodynamic for more than 20 years, here biodynamic principles are applied both in the vineyard and in the cellar. ‘Completo’, their kitchen sink blend and the one they sell out of demijohns (big reusable glass jugs) to the locals, is meant to be the daily drinker. It’s on the lighter side, but feels more substantial, with dark, inky black fruit, bright acidity, grippy tannins and a dry mouth-puckering finish. Italian reds are generally best with food, and this one shines with anything tomato-saucy. Serve with a slight chill and a big bowl of pasta.