From about 268m - 500m up in the Monferrato hills just outside the village of Maretto comes Crotin 1897. A small family run vineyard planted on land dating back to 1897 that stays true to local traditions of growing indigenous grapes native to the area of which Grignolino is a lesser-known but adored example. All of the grapes are hand harvested, destemmed, and manually crushed, then moved to stainless steel vats to ferment. Maceration takes place for about 7 days and then the wine is aged for 7 months more in stainless steel before bottling. This light to medium bodied red is packed with notes of fresh strawberry, tart cherries, cranberry, red currant, leather, violet, and orange peel with firm tannins, balanced acid and clay-like minerality. Pairs well with a Peproni alla Piemontese or Lamb Chops Scottadito.