# Franco Morando (Montalbera)

> Red, Ruche di Castagnole Monferrato DOCG Riserva by [Montalbera](https://ilvinobello.com/wineries/montalbera.md), Monferrato, Piemonte, Italy. From Il Vino Bello (https://ilvinobello.com/wines/montalbera-franco-morando).

- **Producer:** Montalbera
- **Style:** Red
- **Denomination:** Ruche di Castagnole Monferrato DOCG Riserva
- **Grape:** Ruche 100%
- **Production area:** Castagnole Monferrato, Montemagno, San Vittore (UNESCO World Heritage), Piedmont
- **Vineyard planting:** Low trained Guyot system with 7-8 buds on the fruiting cane. Thinning in early summer, maximum yield 60 quintals per hectare regardless of vintage.
- **Vinification:** Traditional red method. Aged 18 months in new French, Austrian and Slavonian oak barriques and tonneaux with high toasting. Bottle fining in a horizontal position at controlled temperature for at least 24 months in total. No tartaric stabilization.
- **Last updated:** 2026-09-25


## Summary

Franco Morando is Montalbera's top Ruche di Castagnole Monferrato DOCG Riserva, named after the winery's General Manager, aged 18 months in new oak and further refined in bottle.

## Tasting notes

Ruby red tending to garnet. Great extraction, persuasiveness and power on the nose, with the bouquet typical of the Ruche grape and light hints of chocolate, tanned leather and blueberry. Long and persistent on the palate, with a silky texture and an excellent balance between acidity and tannins.