Big Bottles of G. Conterno Barolo Riserva Monfortino
In some vintages, Conterno has produced very large bottles (over 10 liters) of Monfortino.
Below are photos of a number such bottles.
The back label of the first bottle pictured says that the volume is 1/4 brenta
and refers to
a brenta as an antique peimontese measure
.
According to
Wikipedia
(and references therein), a brenta was a unit of measurement in pre-metric Italy which had different
values in different provinces.
In Piedmont, 1 brenta = 49.285 liters, so that 1/4 Brente = 12.32 liters, which seems to approximate
the volues here.
Further down this page, you can see photos of additional large bottles from the 1960s and early 1970s,
and one from 1999! Please scroll down for these or
click here to jump to a set of four (1961, 1967, 1970, 1971).
A 1955 Large Bottle in Detail
Here are pictures of an 11.5 liter bottle of 1955 Monfortino:
Click on an image with a border for a larger view of that image.
Click on an image with a border for a larger view of that image.
This bottle measures between 57 and 58 cm high (which is between 22 and 23 inches high).
Rough translation of back label (provided by Greg dal Piaz with adjustments by Dave Cuneo):
THE WINE MONFORTINO
Produced with nebbiolo grapes selected and harvested in Monforte d'Alba, it is a warm wine,
with the color of old brick with an amber rim, vibrant, with a rich bouquet,
ample and long, and on the palate, violets, then tar, and on the finish, dried rose.
The wine Monfortino should be drunk at 18-20C.
This wine Monfortino Reserve 1955 was aged in botte #8, with a capacity of about 38 hectoliters
and was reserved and bottled for Sir Giacomo Cora, the owner of the respectable firm
A. Migliavacca of Milano.
Exclusive production from the cantina of Giacomo Conterno, Monforte d'Alba, (Italy)
We filled up 100 big bottles of 1/4 brenta.
This one is #3
contains 1/4 brenta- antique peimontese measure.
The side of the front label reads:
Net Contents 11,510 liters -- 13,50 percent alcohol
1952 Monfortino, which I am told is 13.5 liters
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Another large bottle of 1952 Monfortino
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Another 1955 Monfortino, which I am told is 12.5 liters
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Another 1955 Monfortino, which I am told is 13.5 liters
1961 Quarter Brente bottles (typically 11.5 liters or 13.5 liters)
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This one is 13.5 liters:
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1999 Quarter Brente bottle
This one is 13.5 liters (with a 750ml for size comparison):
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Big Bottle Set
From a private cellar in Monforte d'Alba.
The 1971 is 12 liters.
The 1967 is 12.5 liters.
The 1961 and the 1970 are each 13.5 liters.
Click on an image with a border for a larger view of that image.
Opening a Quarter Brente bottle
Here is a sequence of photos of Marcello Brunetti opening a 1/4 brenta of 1952 Monfortino:
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All original content © Ken Vastola
