MARIO FREGONI, ONE OF THE MOST RENOWNED THEORISTS ON THE QUALITY OF ITALIAN VITICULTURE, LAUNCHES THE IDEA OF CREATING A REGISTRY OF HISTORIC VINEYARDS IN ORDER TO SAFEGUARD A PATRIMONY THAT IS ENVIED BY THE ENTIRE WORLD

Professor Mario Fregoni, docent of viticulture at the Catholic University of Piacenza and author of the book, “Quality Viticulture” (a text considered symbolic of the rebirth of Italian viticulture), is worried about the fate of the many ancient vineyards that are found in Italy and has launched the idea of creating a registry of historic vineyards.

“In Italy there are many vineyards that exist that merit a more elevated attention” – explained Fregoni – “not only because they hold true ampelographic reliquaries, but also because the age of the vineyards well surpasses a century, and they are located in landscapes of exceptional beauty, a patrimony that can not be exposed to the danger of extirpation or abandonment”.

The safeguarding of Italian “Vieille vigne” should also interest vineyards that are already included in the most important production areas for Italy, from the “sub-zones” of Barolo and Brunello di Montalcino, to those of Chianti Classico and Amarone. “But” – continued Fregoni – “the selection of these vineyards of particular historical prestige must be made with rigorous selective criteria, in order to avoid all of Italy finishing under this special tutelage”.