Big Bottles of G. Conterno Barolo Monfortino

In some vintages, Conterno has produced very large bottles (over 10 liters) of Monfortino. I have photos of 4 such bottles from the 1952 and 1955 vintages. For the first bottle, one photo clearly shows the contents to be 11.51 liters (11,51 liters in European notation). This bottle also says (in Italian) "contains 1/4 brenta - an antique peimontese measure".

Searching the Internet, I found this site which says that in old Milan, "1 brenta = 96 boccali = 75.6 liter". This would mean that 1/4 Brenta = 18.9 liters, not very close to 11.5 liters. The site also shows a measure from old Turin of "10 brente = 493.11 liter", so that 1/4 Brente = 12.3 liters. This seems closer.

For the other 3 bottles (shown below), the quantity cannot be clearly seen in the photos, but I have been told that the bottles are 13.5 and 12.5 liters.

Here are pictures of an 11.5 liter bottle of 1955 Monfortino:

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This bottle measures between 57 and 58 cm high (which is between 22 and 23 inches high).

Rough translation of back label (provided by Greg dal Piaz with adjustments by Dave Cuneo):

THE WINE MONFORTINO

Produced with nebbiolo grapes selected and harvested in Monforte d'Alba, it is a warm wine, with the color of old brick with an amber rim, vibrant, with a rich bouquet, ample and long, and on the palate, violets, then tar, and on the finish, dried rose.

The wine Monfortino should be drunk at 18-20C.

This wine Monfortino Reserve 1955 was aged in botte #8, with a capacity of about 38 hectoliters and was reserved and bottled for Sir Giacomo Cora, the owner of the respectable firm A. Migliavacca of Milano.

Exclusive production from the cantina of Giacomo Conterno, Monforte d'Alba, (Italy)

We filled up 100 big bottles of 1/4 brenta.

This one is #3

contains 1/4 brenta- antique peimontese measure.

The side of the front label reads:

Net Contents 11,510 liters -- 13,50 percent alcohol

Here are pictures of a bottle of 1952 Monfortino, which I am told is 13.5 liters:

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Here are pictures of another large bottle of 1952 Monfortino:

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Here are pictures of a bottle of 1955 Monfortino, which I am told is 12.5 liters:

Click on an image with a border for a larger view of that image.

Here is a picture of a bottle of 1955 Monfortino, which I am told is 13.5 liters:

Click on an image with a border for a larger view of that image.

Click on an image with a border for a larger view of that image.

These are 1961 Quarter Brente bottles, typically 11.5 liters or 13.5 liters.