Racism ruled out of Barolo Vineyard sale

Roberto Conterno’s successful purchase of a neighbour’s Barolo vineyard was down to local law, not anti-American sentiment. The Italian wine world was gripped last week by rumours of a mysterious American financial group attempting to buy historic vineyards in Barolo. A series of sensationalist articles by some of the country’s leading newspapers followed, including a piece published by Il Sole 24 Ore, one of Italy’s most respected media outlets.