Marne Brune
⏳ Drinking Window
2018 - 2033
🍽️ Food & Wine Pairings
Slow-cooked beef stews, fresh egg pasta with shaved truffles, and aged cheeses such as Castelmagno or Pecorino.
✨ Technical Specifications
Hailing from the historic estate of Fontanafredda, established in 1858 by King Vittorio Emanuele II of Italy as a gift for his beloved mistress 'Bela Rosin', the 'Marne Brune' is a classic expression of Nebbiolo d'Alba. The name translates to 'brown marls', paying homage to the nutrient-rich, clay-and-limestone-heavy soils of the Langhe hills that give this 100% Nebbiolo its distinctive structure and mineral complexity. Vinified with traditional maceration and aged gracefully in oak casks, this wine captures the elegant, floral side of the Nebbiolo grape, offering notes of wild violet, red cherry, and refined spice without the formidable tannic weight of its Barolo siblings.
🍾 About the Producer
Established in 1858 by Vittorio Emanuele II, the first King of unified Italy, as an estate for his mistress Rosa Vercellana, Fontanafredda evolved into a foundational pillar of Piedmontese viticulture under their son, Count Emanuele Alberto di Mirafiore. The historic estate encompasses 120 hectares of certified organic vineyards centered in Serralunga d'Alba, an area distinguished by compact Helvetian limestone-marl soils and elevated south- and southwest-facing slopes between 200 and 400 meters. Acquired in 2008 by Oscar Farinetti and Luca Baffigo, the property underwent a viticultural renaissance, securing full organic certification with the 2018 harvest. In the nineteenth-century cellars, winemaking merges technical precision with classical Piedmontese restraint, relying on long macerations, stainless steel vinification for fragrant whites, and maturation in neutral Slavonian oak botti for its noble reds. Iconic bottlings include the cru Barolo Vigna La Rosa, Barolo del Comune di Serralunga d'Alba, Roero Arneis Pradalupo, and the pioneering Alta Langa Metodo Classico sparkling wines.
🍇 Grapes
100% Nebbiolo