The wine-cultural lounge at the Paleologo Castle

A double opportunity for tasting and wine culture at Castello Paleologo in Casale Monferrato during the 65th Monferrato Wine Festival, organized by the Consortium for the Protection of Colline del Monferrato Casalese Wines, in collaboration with the AIS (Italian Sommelier Association), the Enoteca del Monferrato, the Department of Agriculture, and the Events Office of the City of Casale Monferrato. The event will begin on Saturday, September 19th at 5:30 pm with the presentation of the book "Abbecedario Dionisiaco in vigna, nel calice, a tavola" by Maria Luisa Alberico, followed by a guided tasting of three wines from native Monferrato grape varieties. The volume, born from the author's interest in "native" grape varieties and "minor"/peripheral varieties, is a professionally structured literary work, yet with a playful approach. Using the ancient formula of the alphabet, it connects each letter of the alphabet to the initials of 200 grape varieties and wines selected from among the native, international, and historic varieties. A sort of "Dionysian atlas," it offers enjoyable and accessible reading, inviting readers to discover the many curiosities of DOC/DOCG grape varieties and wines, highlighting their varietal characteristics, their history, and the literary/popular references surrounding them, as well as their food pairings. Following the book presentation, during which the author will converse with Agriculture Councilor Annalisa Rizzo, Alberico herself will lead a tasting of the three wines, employing an allegorical method that evokes unusual suggestions, evoking what might seem foreign to the world of wine. The tasting will include: Celio, Grignolino del Monferrato Casalese DOC from Canato (Vignale Monferrato); Rubino di Cantavenna DOC from Sbarato Costantina (Gabiano); and Le Cave, Barbera del Monferrato Superiore DOCG from Cantine Castello d’Uviglie (Rosignano Monferrato). The tasting will continue on Sunday, September 20th at 11:00 a.m., with a tasting led by AIS Delegate for Casale Monferrato, Daniele Guaschino, entitled “The Best Wine. The Ideal Wine and Food Pairing According to the AIS Philosophy.” Specifically, we will explore the principles of concordance and contrast, to create harmony and balance opposing sensations. Concordance applies when similar characteristics of wine and food complement each other and operate on the same level: rich, structured dishes require wines of equal body and intensity; desserts and markedly sweet foods require sweet wines; finally, fragrant and intense dishes blend well with equally aromatic and persistent wines. Compared to contrast, however, the "softness" of the food (fatness, oiliness, sweetness, and succulence) contrasts with the "hardness" of the wine (acidity, savoriness, effervescence, tannicity, and alcohol content). Therefore, the fatness and oiliness of the food require wines with freshness (acidity), savoriness, or effervescence, which cut and dry the fat. The sweetness of the food, on the other hand, requires acidity and savoriness in the wine, while succulence requires tannicity and alcohol content. Other wines were also available for tasting, all from Consortium members: Chardonnay from Angelini Paolo (Ozzano Monferrato); Barbera del Monferrato from La Casaccia (Cella Monte); and Nebbiolo from Castello di Razzano (Alfiano Natta). "We welcomed the invitation from the City of Casale to organize a wine and cultural event as part of the 65th Wine Festival," commented President Claudio Coppo. "The promotion and enhancement, therefore, of a thorough understanding of our grape varieties and wines, not only falls within the statutory objectives of the Consortia, but also represents an essential commitment to recovering a conscious approach and choices in a sector that, although it represents our history and our identity, is being challenged by international conflicts, new geopolitics, and media terrorism. Even young people, who fortunately are approaching wine with an increasingly informed approach, must rediscover the pleasure of mindful and slow tasting: wine is to be savored, not drunk," continues Coppo. "Therefore, we must bring the history, tradition, vocation, and winemaking experience of Monferrato back to the center of our cultural heritage, restoring value, dignity, and positioning to our wines. In this sense, the decision to dedicate a cultural space to labels, and therefore to the Monferrato region, can only align with our intentions, intersect with our mission, and travel in the same direction." Location: Chagall Hall. Free admission while seats last.