Azienda Vitivinicola Colledoro di Clara C. Ambrosio
Staff Writer - February 1, 2006
  For the February 2006 Company of the Month, we will visit once again Piedmont, the Italian region which is already in the news a great deal these days because of the Winter Olympics. This time we will go to Calosso, a small center in the province of Asti, to visit the Azienda Vitivinicola Colledoro di Clara C. Ambrosio.
The Estate
The Azienda Vitivinicola Colledoro cultivates 10 hectares (around 25 acres) of vineyards in the ancient Cascina Porsuelli, a 17th century farmhouse perched high in the Alpine foothills of the Alto Monferrato (Monferrato Highlands).
Here, Colledoro, which means Golden Hill in Italian, produces three wines exclusively from local traditional grapes and according to the regional tradition. Even more than in other parts of Italy, the locals in this evocative mountain area, made up of various small, mostly family-run estates, dedicate their existence to producing very high quality wines in small quantities.
For many of these producers the quality of the final product is more a matter of pride in one's work and dedication than a market affair.
 In this corner of the Asti landscape, the rolling hills and hollows, slopes and valleys are crisscrossed by vineyards and reminiscent of rippling sea waves when the breeze caresses the vines
In this environment the ancient Romans built a village which became an important fiefdom in Medieval times. Today Calosso is a quiet hill town, and has been know for centuries as "a land whose taste is like wine". The traditional grapes, first and foremost, are the local Moscato and the incomparable Barbera.
The Wines
- Ventisei – Moscato d'Asti DOCG
Ventisei means twenty six in Italian. That's because the grapes used to make this wine come from 26 rows comprising 3,200 vines, which produce an average of 4,800 kilograms (about 10,582 pounds) per year of superior Moscato d'Asti.
This traditional sparkling wine has a light golden yellow color and fragrant aroma typical of the grapes, reminiscent of peach blossom, acacia and honey. Sweet and fragrant to the palate, the wine keeps all its olfactory promises.
 Excellent with cakes, pastries and cookies. The low alcohol content, makes it a perfect wine for social gatherings.
- Redinicchia – Barbera d'Asti DOC
Made with the 100% Barbera grapes form the highest, most exposed vineyards of the estate, from which this sovereign vine of the Monferrato hills enhances its natural strength while ripening.
The color is a limpid, deep, almost blue, purple. The perfume is of red fruits with floral and spicy notes. Dry, but soft in the palate, warm, balanced and structurally sound with velvety, rounded tannins.
Excellent with grilled red meat, venison and hearty meat stew.
- Solaluce – Monferrato Bianco DOC
The wine name, Solaluce, means only light. This white wine made with Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc grapes has a pale yellow color with golden highlights. The aroma is fresh and refined, with fragrance of fresh grapes and hints of vanilla. Delicate and round, with elegant acidity to the palate.
Serve at 10°- 12°C. (%0° - 53°F.). It's a perfect match for seafood, vegetable soups and salads.
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