Aldo Conterno, Italy’s barolista, died

In 1961, Aldo and his brother Giovanni Giacomo Conterno inherited the winery from their father. The brothers parted, however. Aldo founded his own winery in Bussia Monforte d’Alba, named Aldo Conterno Poderi. “Aldo was a great man. He carried the history of Barolo within himself and brought it to the highest level”, Pietro Ratti, Barolo producer and president of the Consorzio di Barolo Barbaresco Alba Tutela Langhe e Roero, says.

One of Mr. Conterno’s secrets to success was, besides exclusive top vineyards, his open-mindedness. Only few producers from the region reached the level of quality of Aldo’s Barolos. He enjoyed respect but held his colleagues in esteem, too. His balance between tradition and new technologies was the standard for other vintners who were of his age, and the young generation complies with it.

In the 1970ies, Aldo made efforts to reduce the Barolo’s massive tannins. Furthermore, he reduced the fermentation time and abandoned the false bottom method for the pump over method - a radical decision at that time. He allowed Franco, Stefano and Giacomo - his sons - to use any barriques for other wines, but for Barolo, he insisted in barriques made out of Slavonic oak.

“Vanilla, toast, hot and sweet tannins are not appreciated in Barolo”, was his Credo. So, Aldo Conterno celebrated his Barolos, including the Granbussia Riserva as well as his legendary bottlings from his vineyards in Romirasco, Cicala and Colonello. (red.yoopress)