A look at the origins of Prünent
The name “Prünent” derives from the Latin “pruina” (frost), thus referring to the harvest period (late October–November), when the ground is still covered with frost in the morning. The word may also originate from “prunum” (plum tree), as it was traditionally customary to grow vines alongside wild plum trees.
It is an ancient vineyard: it is mentioned in a document dating back to around 1309, written by Dumi-no di Pello di Trontano, who left an annual donation of nine setiers (around 200 litres) to the convent of San Francesco in Domodossola. The man stipulated that the wine had to be entirely Prünent and used solely for the celebration of Mass.
In the past, Prünent was a fine perpetual wine, meaning that it was aged in a single barrel, known and appreciated even beyond the borders of the Ossola Valley. During the second half of the 19thth century, phylloxera began to attack vineyards throughout Europe, sparing neither Prünent. As a result, winegrowers were forced to resort to American grafted vines, so the old plants were replaced with other, more productive but less valuable vines, in order to protect vines, including Prünent, from phylloxera.
Prünent today
Today, it is still possible to find an ungrafted Prünent vine that is over 200 years old.
Since 1990, work has been underway to restore this ancient vineyard: local estates have succeeded in producing a wine of quality and structure, appreciated by critics and able to compete on equal terms with the other great Piedmontese Nebbiolos.
Prünent is grown on the sunny hills of Domodossola, Villadossola,Trontano, Masera and Montecrestese.
How is Prünent made?
This grape variety requires soil that is not damp and good exposure to the sun. When grown using the Guyotmethod, budburst is early and its fertility is medium-low, thus ensuring production ofexcellent quality.
The harvest takes place in late September/mid-October. Fermentation lasts around one month and tanks made of steelare used, where the wine is stored until spring and then aged in barrels of French oak for at least one year. Bottle ageing , on the other hand, lastsseveral months .
The typical characteristics of Prünent are due to temperature variations between day and night:intense ruby red full-bodied, and tannic alcoholic, with floral notes . It pairs perfectly withrisotto ,game and flavourful cheeses ..
Discover Prünent Stella 2018 fromAzienda Agricola Edoardo Patrone, awarded as one of Italy's 100 best wines by Golosaria: