There’s a certain amount of excitement that comes with tasting a wine for the first time; maybe there’s some trepidation, too. That said, what I’ve come to expect from the red wines of Alto Piemonte, and in particular, those that are 100% Nebbiolo, is to have my expectations exceeded. The degree to which things exceed,…
Category: Piedmont
More is (not always) preferred to less – 2012 Bruno Giacosa Barbera d’Alba
“More is preferred to less“, that’s what my first Economics professor exclaimed. I wasn’t comfortable with this idea, and thirty years later, I’m still not, though I understand the context a little more now. Last night I pulled a 2012 Bruno Giacosa Barbera d’Alba, a bottle I acquired in a great little shop inside San Gimignano…
A surprise in my cellar – Tenute Sella Lessona Omaggio a Quintino Sella
Just about every night, around the same time, I make the trek into the basement, head over the the racking and look for a bottle(s) to go with dinner. Most times I’ll spend too long down there, aimlessly searching for a bottle that I feel is ready AND will make a nice complement to the…
HOW TO MAKE A LASTING IMPRESSION – MASSOLINO (AZ. AGR. VIGNA RIONDA), PART II
Referring to the map he’s provided me with, Franco (a graduate of the oenologic school in Alba) gives a quick overview of the Barolo area – he mentions the eleven communes/villages (see below), and points out the Massolino Cru (i.e. single) vineyards, three of which are in Serralunga d’Alba proper, and one, Parussi, located in…
How to make a lasting impression – Massolino (Az. Agr. Vigna Rionda), Part I
They say you only get one chance to make a first impression. Some make full use of that opportunity, and others, well, let’s just say they do not. In the case of Massolino’s wines, which I’ve enjoyed for well over a decade, and during my lengthy visit there in 2014 (I will return spring 2017,…
Antonio Vallana e Figlio, Alto Piemonte, Part V
The drive from the center of the village of Borgomanero takes maybe 15 minutes. It’s twisty-turny, and mostly we’re climbing up in elevation to some local hills that look favorably (i.e the exposition) toward the town. And even though we’re still in the same local region, we’ve crossed the river, and we’re no longer in…
Antonio Vallana e Figlio, Alto Piemonte, Part IV
The first wine tasted is the 2012 Barbera Piemonte. 11 April, 2014. (tasted earlier in the week at VinItaly, then again while visiting the estate, consistent). Energetic, clean aromas of ripe plums, light spice and dusty soil. Acidity seems low-ish at first, but the back and mid-palates fill out quickly revealing some youthfully tannic bitterness and…
Antonio Vallana e Figlio, Alto Piemonte, Part III
Before his death, the incredibly talented Bernardo Vallana was able to pass on his knowledge to his daughter Giuseppina’s husband, Guy Fogarty, a British citizen by birth. Later, after Guy’s passing, we’ll find that Giuseppina also had her father’s gift – though she really didn’t have a choice, Guy passed, suddenly, and the grapes were…
Antonio Vallana e Figlio, Alto Piemonte, Part II
Before Marina begins to show me the (Boca) vineyard, and explain the quadretto vine training system (used only at this site), she takes great care to explain the family history. It begins in 1859, with the death of his uncle (in-law). This is when Bernardo Vallana took over the vineyards left to his care. Here’s…
Antonio Vallana e Figlio, Alto Piemonte, Part I
It was April, 2014, and it was a rather warm (read: too warm) day inside Padiglione (pavilion) 10, home to the Piemontese wines at Vin Italy. Inside Pad 10, (see below for map of the whole place, the larger Pads/Buildings on the map are, HUGE (no, think bigger) – and not air conditioned, and crowded…
ItalianWineReviews.com 