NV Valle Unite Bianchini Vino Rosso

Region: Gavi < Piemonte < Italy

Grapes: Barbera, Dolcetto, Croatina + a splash of Cortese

Vineyard/Cellar Stats: Certified Organic farming; sandy clay soils; field blend, co-fermented, direct press, aged in concrete; no filtering or clarification; minimal added So2 added at bottling; 12% ABV; 300 cases

Winemaker: Alessandro Poretti 

FUSO is a collaboration project between natural wine importer Portofino with organic grower/vignerons in different Italian regions to produce "Italy’s natural and characterful daily drinkers from farmers and producers who are our long time friends and colleagues".  Here they partner with Alessandro Poretti of Valli Unite, one of Italy’s only natural wine cooperatives (and definitely the only one in fancy-pants Piemonte).  Here, at a real working farm that looks like a hippie commune, growers live on property tending vineyards that lie amid beehives, farm animals, orchards, and truffle filled woodlands. Producing everything from honey to homemade salumi, grains and wine, 30 members live and work on the 100-hectare farm.

They make a range of wines, all natural (also unusal for a co-op), like this unfiltered Bianchino with the local Cortese varietal (which would be called Gavi if it came from the town next door). “We believe natural vinification is a social responsibility” is the manifesto; soil humus, livestock manure, native yeasts, local grapes, time, and very judicious sulphur use are the rustic tools. 

Valli Unite Rosso is the farm's everyday red wine, made from a blend of the Piemontesi workhouse varieties Barbera, Dolcetto, and Croatina, plus a dash of the white Cortese grape for added freshness. It's a the perfect everyday table wine with bright, lip-smacking acidity, low tannin, and insane drinkability. We'll be drinking this light, juicy sour cherry glou all spring!

SERVE SLIGHTLY CHILLED