Why Be Curious? “Rouchet”, pronounced à la française without the t, is Scarpa’s name for their varietal Ruchè (because they’re outside the official Ruchè appellations and thus can’t use the regular name). As with all the other Scarpa wines, Ruchè gets the special treatment of extra age and extra elegance.
Produttore / Producer: Antica Casa Vinicola Scarpa has been producing traditional wines in the Monferrato hills of southeast Piemonte since 1854. But it was Mario Pesce, admired by both Giacosa and Gaja, who made Scarpa’s reputation in the second half of the 20th century. Traditional sometimes means ‘rustic’, but that’s not the case here. A very present gusto della casa (house style) produces elegant wines with arrow-like acidity and well-aged tannins. In the 21st century, Scarpa continues to produce each year small quantities of more than a dozen wines from 10 different grape varieties and to release gradually wines from its ample library of bottles going back to the 1960s.
Vigna / Vineyard: Poderi Bricchi is Scarpa’s 50-hectare estate vineyard area in Castel Rocchero, in the heart of the Monferrato. 27 of the 50 hectares are planted with nine grape varieties that produce 11 wines. (Scarpa also sells off some grapes.) The remaining 23 hectares are forests and fields, which Scarpa deliberately leaves unplanted in order to maintain biodiversity and healthy vineyards. Vineyard treatments are copper and sulfur.
Cantina / Cellar: Fermentation and aging for at least a year in stainless steel tanks, followed by a minimum of one year (and usually much longer) in bottle before release.
Il Vino / The Wine: Ruchè as only Scarpa can do it, with bottle age and uncommon elegance.
A Tavola… / At the Table… A classic vino da meditazione; especially good with Gorgonzola or Stilton. Also experiment with aromatic dishes.
Scarpa Monferrato Rosso ‘Rouchet Briccorosa’
Vigna / Vineyard
Denominazione / Appellation: Monferrato Rosso DOC
Nome / Name: Poderi Bricchi, in Castel Rocchero (Monferrato).
Ettari / Hectares: 27 hectares (for all Scarpa wines other than the Nebbioli).
Quota / Altitude: 400 m / 1310 ft.
Suoli / Type of soils: Mostly clay.
Vitigni / Varieties: 100% Ruchè.
Età delle viti / Vine age: Planted around 1980.
Allevamento / Trellis system: Guyot.
Metodo di vendemmia / Harvest technique: Hand harvested.
Metodo agricolo / Agricultural technique: Lotta integrata (sustainable).
Cantina / Cellar
Fermentazione alcolica / Alcoholic fermentation: In stainless steel.
Élevage: In stainless steel, plus at least one year in bottle before release.
Gradazione alcolica / Alcoholic %: 13-14%.
Tappo e bottiglia / Closure and bottle: Natural cork, 750 ml Bordeaux bottle embossed with the Scarpa logo.