New barrels at Borgo Maragliano: 3 ceramic-stoneware barrels which will be used for their Chardonnay
Wine and porcelain have a connection that’s as old as winemaking itself. In ancient Magna Graecia, men used amphoras to maintain the characteristics of wine.
Ceramic barrels, made of a particular, compact, and homogeneous natural ceramic, have an inherent microporous structure. This structure allows for a very limited and slow gas exchange—specifically, micro-oxygenation—with the outside environment. This controlled process is crucial for the wine’s development.
The benefits of using ceramic stoneware for winemaking are:
- Controlled Micro-Oxygenation
The material is porous, allowing a gradual exchange of oxygen. This measured exposure helps soften tannins and stabilize the wine’s color without the rapid oxidation that would spoil it. Increased Elegance and Definition
The slow, steady oxygenation makes the wine more ready to drink, resulting in a more elegant and defined final product.Preservation of Aromatics
It enhances the wine’s floral and vegetal components while preserving the freshness and fruit evolution.
Unlike other materials, these amphoras are specifically designed not to contaminate the wine. They are crafted from a precise porcelain blend that ensures optimal oxygenation.
As a contemporary alternative to concrete and wood, porcelain stoneware is a blend of natural elements ideal for both wine fermentation and aging.
THE HISTORY
The Galliano family have been farmers for five generations. The family’s history of resilience began with Giovanni, an entrepreneurial man who bought his first plot of land in Loazzolo in 1850. After his grandson Carlo died in the early 1900s, his wife Teresa took over the farm and raised their two children. Teresa’s “obstinate and hard-working” nature helped her overcome adversity and stay in Loazzolo despite the challenges.
Giuseppe encouraged his son, Carlo, to study oenology, which led Carlo to focus on making wine from the Moscato grape. Building on the family’s long history, Carlo blended tradition with innovation, becoming the first producer in the area to create a Traditional Method Sparkling Wine using Chardonnay and Pinot Noir.
Today, the next generation—Carlo and Silvia’s sons Giovanni, Francesco, and Federico—continues to lead the Borgo Maragliano winery into the future.
THE VINEYARDS
An extraordinary microclimate and ideal conditions for the cultivation of vines in the high hills due to the sea wind and millions of years of erosion and geological evolution.
Thanks to the mixture of flora and fauna, the woods represent an important basin of oxygen and balance necessary for eco-friendly viticulture.
Every vineyard has its own particular characteristics in terms of exposure, altitude and soil composition. Each one occupies an optimal position, and is between 35 and 65 years old
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