The Tale of the 334th Chapter of the Selection of the Great Wines of Alba

The 334th Chapter of the Selection of the Great Wines of the Alba Area at Grinzane Cavour

66 wineries and 100 wines awarded in the 51st edition of the Order’s historic Selection. Andrea Desana appointed Honorary Knight and nine new Knights welcomed into the Order.

For more than fifty years, a story has linked the Order of the Knights of the Truffle and Wines of Alba with the wine heritage of Langhe, Monferrato and Roero. It is the Selection of the Great Wines of the Alba Area, established in 1975 and reaching its 51st edition this year.

This long-standing tradition was celebrated at the 334th Chapter of the Order, once again held at Castello di Grinzane Cavour, where the wines that successfully passed the Selection were celebrated.

A total of 66 wineries and 100 wines were awarded, selected from the 176 wines submitted by 89 wineries belonging to the Enoteca Regionale Piemontese Cavour. These figures reflect the richness and diversity of the Alba wine production and the evolution of an initiative that, over the years, has accompanied the growth of the territory.

At the opening of the Chapter, Grand Master Tomaso Zanoletti recalled this journey, highlighting how the Selection has become an important part of the history of the Order and of the wine heritage of Langhe, Monferrato and Roero.

“The Selection of the Great Wines of the Alba Area has reached its 51st year, and this milestone first and foremost reflects the continuity of a project founded with a clear ambition: to recognise and promote the wines that best represent the quality of our territory. In the beginning, it was a much smaller event, with just one wine receiving an award; today, we are talking about 176 wines submitted by 89 wineries, with 100 wines recognised by the Selection. This is an enormous transformation, reflecting the growth of Alba’s wine sector, but also the ability of the Order to accompany this evolution while remaining true to its objective: to give visibility to excellence and help it gain recognition in Italy and around the world.”

As always, at the heart of the Selection was the work of the Tasting Commission, which met in May at Castello di Grinzane Cavour and was chaired by Mauro Carosso, President of AIS Piemonte. A task requiring expertise and responsibility, because behind every wine there is a vineyard, a territory and the work of those who produce it.

“A Selection of this level requires expertise, attention and, above all, a great sense of responsibility. Behind every bottle there are a territory, a vineyard, a family and a body of work that deserve to be assessed with seriousness. The figures from this edition demonstrate the richness and quality of Alba’s wine production and confirm how important it is to create opportunities for discussion and exchange capable of highlighting the different expressions of the territory.”

The Chapter then broadened its focus from wine tasting to the history of Italian wine, with a presentation by Andrea Desana, President of the Casale Monferrato Capital of DOC Committee, entitled “The Law on Designations of Origin: A Historic Date for Italian Wine.”

The focus was Presidential Decree No. 930 of 1963, the legislation that introduced the system of Designations of Origin into Italian law and represented a fundamental milestone in protecting the origin, identity and quality of Italian wines.

“Speaking today about the law on Designations of Origin means remembering a fundamental turning point for Italian wine. In 1963, Italy finally adopted an instrument capable of linking wine to its geographical origin, its identity and the rules necessary to protect its quality. Designations of Origin are not simply a label designation: they guarantee origin, protect the work of producers and provide a means of promoting territories.”

For Desana, the evening also held a particular significance: following his presentation, he was appointed an Honorary Knight of the Order. The ceremony also welcomed nine new Knights, who received the collar and officially joined the Order.

From wine culture to conviviality, the Chapter continued with an aperitif in the grounds of Castello di Grinzane Cavour, followed by a dinner prepared by Chef Alessandro Mecca, served in the historic Sala Cavour and Sala delle Maschere.

Once again, the evening brought together wine, culture, territory and friendship in a place that, more than any other, represents the history and wine identity of Langhe, Monferrato and Roero.