I am a wine lover currently located in Boston. I drink wine mostly from Piemonte and Burgundy.
Two summers in a row I have worked at Vietti in Piemonte.
Gilmore Girls season is upon us, also known as Fall. It’s the season for candles, fire places, mushrooms, and red wine. This time of year many hearty and nutrient-rich vegetables come into season, reflecting the cooler temperatures and shorter days. This includes root vegetables such as carrots, beets, turnips, sweet potatoes, and parsnips, which develop a natural sweetness as the weather cools. Cabbage, cauliflower, and broccoli also peak during this time, offering a mix of robust flavors and nutrients ideal for warming autumn meals.
But my favorite at the moment is the mushroom. There’s something extra special about heading into the forest early on a sunday morning, searching through fallen leaves and moss to uncover chantrelles or penny buns. It just tastes better when you put in all that effort. And so if you are so lucky to be able to hunt them yourself, or even if you just hunt them in the produce section at Gutta på Haugen, you should definitely have a Pelaverga waiting for you at home. My favorites include the ones from Burlotto, Diego Morra and Fratelli Alessandria.
Another fall staple is lamb. And when it comes to lamb and wine, it’s a bit like matchmaking—you want a pairing that makes both shine. Two reliable suitors are Barbera and Nebbiolo, though which one you choose depends on how the lamb is dressed up and what company it keeps on the plate.
Take fårikål, for instance—Norway’s beloved national dish. Imagine tender pieces of lamb nestled among layers of cabbage, slow-simmered with whole black peppercorns until everything melts into a comforting, peppery stew. It’s traditionally enjoyed in the chilly months of September and October, so much so that Norway even celebrates a Fårikålens Festdag (National Fårikål Day) on the last Thursday of September. In fact, a 2014 survey crowned it the nation’s favorite dish.
For this rustic classic, you’ll want a wine that can handle both the richness of the lamb and the gentle sweetness of the cabbage. Barbera is just the ticket—bright, juicy, and refreshingly acidic, it cuts through the stew’s heartiness like crisp autumn air through fog. I’d nudge you toward a bottle from Emilio Vadaor Trediberri, both of which bring the right balance of fruit and freshness to the table.
If rack of lamb or a slow-braised shank is on the menu, then Nebbiolo is your gallant companion. This grape has a way of wrapping its elegant tannins and rose-scented charm around the richness of the meat like a velvet cloak. A Langhe Nebbiolo is always a dependable friend—graceful yet approachable—and a few of my recent favoirtes include the ones from Ghiomo,Cavallottoand Chiara Boschis.
If you’re in the mood for something with a touch more gravitas, consider a Nebbiolo d’Alba, perhaps the one from Bruna GrimaldiIt brings structure and poise to the table, like the refined guest who tells the best stories by the fire. Either way, Nebbiolo elevates lamb into something that feels less like dinner and more like an occasion.
On the list of “International Days”, one of the more important ones to celebrate is International Women’s Day. Although many corners of the world have come a long way when it comes to gender equality, we still have a long way to go. And everyone can make an effort here. Gloria Steinem said it best when she said: “The story of women’s struggle for equality belongs to no single feminist nor to any one organization but to the collective efforts of all who care about human rights.”
When women aren’t present, we must ask: “If not, why not?”
Every february, I spend a few nights camping outside Vinmonopolet at Aker Brygge, for the annual Burgundslipp. I am usually 1 of 2 women, or the only woman. And the other women are usually there with their fathers or boyfriends. As the number of people grow, the number of women does not. It’s been like this all of the five times I’ve participated in this yearly circus. And I’ve always wondered why. Are women less interested in getting their hands on rare wines from burgundy? Or is it the weather? Are women less likely to camp outside in Norway in February? Or is it because they don’t feel safe camping on the streets in a big city? I honestly don’t know.
Regardless of the reason, it’s strange. And a bit sad. But what’s worse, is the number of times I got asked “which number is your boyfriend in the queue?” or “who are you visiting?”. The assumption being that I was not in the queue myself. Even the media covering the release assumed I wasn’t in the queue. A journalist standing in front of me looking around, asked her cameraman who they hadn’t talked to yet, then pointed to two young men right behind me and proceeded to shove past me, as if I wasn’t even there. And not to bring up a separate issue, but why talk to yet another pair of bottle flippers, instead of one of the only women in the queue?
Even when I was inside the store, with my ticket, waiting in line to get my hands on the wines behind the counter, a Vinmonopolet employee questioned my participation. To the man before me, he simply asked “Can I see your ticket?”, whereas when it was my turn, he asked “Do you have a ticket?”, as if I had ended up there by taking a wrong turn or something. What the fuck is that about?
And all these relatively insignificant examples show that we still have a long way to go. Because there are many worse things happening to women today. In some corners of the world, only 40% of girls finish secondary school[i]. Of all the Fortune 500 companies, only 10.4% have a female CEO[ii]. And don’t get me started on how women’s rights are being downright violated in the US these days. And while I can’t single-handedly solve any of these problems, I can do everything in my power to fight for women’s rights and equality for women.
Women in Wine
One way I feel like I can contribute, is to support women in wine. So, in honor of International Women’s Day, I am shining an extra light on female winemakers and women in the world of wine. And thankfully, there are quite a few. But I mean, why shouldn’t there be?! Today there is absolutely no reason why there should be more male winemakers or more men in this business. I know that back in the day it was considered more suitable for men, mostly because the work was very physical. I personally think this is a stupid excuse to keep women from working in a winery, even back then. But today, with the tools and equipment available, it’s an argument that can no longer be used.
And we see it more and more: women in the world of wine. Just the past few years quite a few young female winemakers have turned up on my radar. Lalu, Cadipress, Philine Isabelle, Prandi – and that’s just in Langhe. In addition to the new arrivals, we have to remember all those who came before. Women who have paved the way, and not just winemakers. But women in all aspects of the wine industry! And although we’ve come a long way in many parts of the world, many women still have to fight for their rights every day.
And that’s why it’s important to celerbate International Women’s Day. “Together we can forge gender equality. Collectively we can all #AccelerateAction.”
It started the summer of 2011. I was on vacation with my family and some family friends. A beach vacation type thing, with a whole lot of relaxing and sunbathing. And for those who know me, know that I can’t lay around on a sunbed for very long. So when my dad, who had already started his wine journey, invited us on an outing to meet a winemaker, I didn’t hesitate to say yes.
And so I learned my first ever full Italian phrase, asked for the next ferry to Corniglia, and off we went. I remember approaching the dock in Riomaggiore (we weren’t going to Corniglia…) and seeing this small figure in a straw hat waving at us. This eager man was Elio Altare. He greeted us, and quickly headed toward the little town. We soon found ourselves trailing Elio, who was walking at an incredible pace, through the winding streets of Riomaggiore, sometimes so narrow that my shoulder would brush against the walls. This journey brought us to a truck, which in turn brought us to the top of a hill.
We climbed out, and began the descent toward the ocean. Mind you, I am wearing a short blue dress and beige ballerina shoes, not exactly dressed for the occasion. And while we are tumbling down this steep hill, Elio causally calls out “Watch out for wild boars. They are very dangerous.” while continuing down the hill. We all look at each other, but there’s no time to process this information if we want to keep up with him. But I soon found myself on the cliffs of Cinque Terre, watching Elio tend to his vines while he told us about the magical world of wine.
This probably sounds cheesy, but listening to what has to be the most passionate person I’ve ever met talk about the circle of life on the cliffs of Cinque Terre was a game changer. Wine became so much more than that disgusting red liquid my parents sometimes drank at dinner. He opened up a whole new world, filled with wonderful tastes, interesting people and incredible adventures.
Fast forward 8 years. After a lot of nagging from my friends about how I should do “this” professionally, I started seriously thinking about it. But what was I going to do? Did I want to import? Be a journalist? Event planner? Tour guide? Arrange tastings? I had no idea. So I reached out to some people in the business. And I will forever be grateful to those who took the time to talk with me. I will never forget how Merete Bø spent 40 minutes on the phone with me, answering any and all of my questions. Or Hege Pedersen-Fröjd who took the time to meet with me and give me insight into the import business. And thanks to them I did get a little closer to figuring out what I wanted to do.
February 27th 2019
It’s February 27th, 2019, and I have just submitted the documents to start my own company. I skipped a bunch of stuff here but just imagine 8 years filled with all kinds of wonderful wine moments, from working at a vineyard in La Morra to taking a wine course at college. I had also started a website where I wrote some stuff. I didn’t really know what I wanted to do, I just knew I wanted to work with wine.
So I began organizing wine tastings, arranging trips to Piemonte and inviting winemakers to Norway for promotional events. I was also writing a little bit, and started getting invitations to tastings with importers. It was looking good. But if you take a look at the date, most of you will see what is about to hit me. Hard. Covid. 2020 rolls around, and come March, I have to cancel everything I had planned. And as we all know too well, this would go on for a while. I started digital zoom sessions with winemakers, which kept me busy, but I was basically toast.
Things eventually opened back up, obviously, but to be honest Piemontegirl never really recovered. I got other jobs, which meant I didn’t have the same amount of time to dedicate to it, and so it sort of just exists now. Every now and then I organize a trip or host a tasting, which I love. I pay bills and report the minimal earnings to the government, but I am not sure what the future looks like.
Bright future?
If I am being honest, this business is brutal. For several reasons. If you know, you know. And I don’t know if I have the fight in me.
I won’t dwell on this, mostly because it doesn’t do me any good. Instead, I am going to focus on the poistive. Like the many wonderful people in the business, who are kind, welcoming, including and passionate, like the people at Moestue. And then there are the winemakers of course. The ones who make it possible for all of us to do what we do. I think sometimes we forget about them a little and take them for granted. So here’s a friendly reminder to not.
Piemontegirl tuned 6 this year. I don’t know what the next year, or next 5 years will bring, but I will keep doing the things I love. Drinking wine with good friends. Eating good food. Travelling to Piemonte to learn from winemakers. And I’ll keep telling people about the wonderful world of wine.
If it was on purpose, I totally get it. Either way, don’t worry! There are countless amazing wines available that you don’t have to sleep outside in the freezing Norwegian winter for. And with the selection of wines available at these releases being as disappointing as they are, there’s almost no point in queuing anymore. With a few exceptions. Also, if you have no idea what I’m talking about, you can read about it here.
Anyways, if Burgundy is what you’re looking for then there are a few options that won’t cost you an arm and a leg. It’s expensive, but that’s just the reality these days. My point is that here are some wines that don’t require queuing and won’t break the bank. Wines that are of high quality but for some reason didn’t make the cut for the list of the Burgundslipp.
Since we’re on the topic of wine from France it’s har to skip past Champagne. Also an expensive region, but sadly, again, that’s just reality. I like highlighting some lesser know winemakers, so I’d like to direct your attention to two sisters making Champagne in Epernay. I can’t wait to visit them one day, but until then I am enjoying their wines as often as I can.
You’re probably thinking “Finally!”. I get why some are confused about why Piemontegirl is talking so much about wines outside Piemonte. Which is fair. But you can relax now. We’re back to regularly scheduled programming. And there are quite a few gems to be found in Piemonte.
For years the Burgundslipp has been for the wineloving wine nerds. But the past years it’s gone down a different path. The first time I joined the queue back in 2019, the front runners were genuine wine lovers, with a keen interest in wine, especially wines from Burgundy. I remember sitting around, listening to them talk about things like the different vintages, terroir and producers. I was impressed with their passion and their knowledge, and was thankful to be included in those conversations and happy to be part of the queue.
For those who have no idea what I am talking about, here’s a quick summary: I might have to explain what the Burgundslipp actually is. Which is not an easy task. Because this phenomenon only happens in Norway, and if we’re really being honest, it’s concentrated around Aker Brygge in Oslo. Here are the broad strokes: on a Thursday in early February at 10 am, the doors open at 12 different Vinmonopol in Norway. And inside, there are hundreds (thousands?) of rare wines from Burgundy. But they are not only rare; they are quite cheap, relatively speaking. And so once a year, it’s possible to get your hands on rare, expensive wines for a fraction of the price of anywhere else in the world.
The end of an era?
When I first joined the queue in 2019, I joined the ranks of fellow wine lovers, and enjoyed countless conversations on the topic of Burgundy. Sometimes I even got to talk about Piemonte, but regardless, the topic was wine. We might have even shared a bottle or two. Maybe.
Today, the queue is a whole other story. The previous front runners have been replaced with bottle flippers, who display little to no interest in wine. The ROI is so high that the temptation to spend 4-6 weeks out on the street in Norway in February in order to make a buck or two has changed the Burgundslipp queue. And it’s changed for the worse.
It’s sad that so many of the bottles intended for the Norwegian market leave the country almost instantly. The majority of the DRC bottles that have been released in Norway are probably already scattered across the world. It’s sad that the majority of the people in the queue have little to no interest in wine. It’s sad that it’s become a business operation that prevents wine lovers from getting their hands on wine they otherwise might not be able to afford.
Now, let me get ahead of a few things
I want to be very clear: I’m not saying that no one ever sold any of the wines for profit before. That’s most likely been going on for years. The difference between then and now, is that there was a majority of genuine wine enthusiasts before. And the people at the front of the line also bought wines for themselves, that they would enjoy drinking later. In other words, they sold some of the more expensive bottles in order to fund their wine interest.
I also want to acknowledge that I understand the temptation to turn the Burgundy release into a profitable operation. I mean, it is tempting to be able to earn some (read A LOT) money without really doing anything, except sitting in a tent in the freezing Norwegian winter. If you take away the fact that it’s wine they are flipping, it’s really just another way to make money. I’m just sad that it’s happening to the Burgundslipp.
Burgundslipp 2024 – disappointing
Every year, the list of which wines will be available Thursday morning, is released the Friday before. And just like the previous years, I impatiently refreshed my browser. I was especially eager this year because Merete Bø had already revealed that Domaine Leflaive wouldn’t be on the list for the first time. So I wondered what else might be left off the list this year. And in the end, the selection of wines being released was extremely disappointing.
Where was Liger-Belair? Or Angerville? Michel Lafarge? Maison AS? Cassiopee? Or countless other wines from producers far better than several on the Burgundslipp list. It was almost as disappointing as the Piemonte release. If it keeps going like this, pretty soon the only wines «worth» queuing for will be gone, and then what’s the point? I mean, if you’re not in it only for the money.
Burgundslipp 2025 – even more disappointing
Friday January 31st, 6 days before the release, and the list is uploaded. The people who had been queuing since December 28th (yes, you read that correctly) were happy because as per usual, there were 2 RC and 1 Montrachet. So they were set. But what about everyone else? I do really believe that we are headed towards the end of an era, because the selection of wines were disappointing. Wines that should have been under allocation wasn’t and wine that was allocated shouldn’t even have been on the list in the first place. And once again, a ton of wines were left off the release completely. Like Leflaive.
What next?
I get it. I get why the importer left Leflaive off of the list again. Because when the importer sells directly to private customers through Spesialbestilling, they are able to ensure that the majority ends up in the hands of people who will actually drink it and they are able to spread the allocation across a lager group of people.It’s not a perfect system, and I don’t think we will ever really find a perfect system where everyone is happy. But I do think the importers have the opportunity to make it more fair. And some have already started.
The end?
You’re still here? I am too. Every year I think long and hard about whether this Burgundslipp will be my last. Because I do feel a bit hypocritical participating in this circus. There are so many other good wines available in Norway that, for some reason, don’t make the cut. But there are still a couple of wonderful aspects about the Burgundslipp that I enjoy that I am not quite ready to let go. Like camping outside. Or drinking wine with fellow wine lovers. And getting my hands on a bottle or two that I likely wouldn’t get otherwise. Besides, as one of the very few women who partake in this, it would be shame to weaken that statistic. Can’t let the men have all the fun.
We’re almost halfway through summer already. And I could be sad about it, but instead I am super excited. Do you know why? Because it’s mushroom season! And do you know what that means? Mushroom pasta, mushroom pizza, mushroom risotto, fried mushroom, mushroom consommee etc etc etc! You catch my drift. So, for the next, I don’t know how many weeks, I’ll be in the forest, hunting mushrooms.
There’s something extra special about cooking a meal using ingredients you found in nature. I honestly don’t really even eat mushrooms I didn’t pick myself. Which is probably something I shouldn’t admit, but whatever. Now, are you ready to hear my what my go to “mushroom wine” is? Drumroll please: Verduno Pelaverga. It wouldn’t surprise me if it’s the first time you’re hearing about Pelaverga. So let me tell you a bit about it.
Pelaverga
Pelaverga is a red grape variety that’s native to Piemonte. It’s most commonly grown in the town of Verduno. Although it’s not widely grown, there are thankfully still some winegrowers in Langhe who still make it. like Burlotto, Diego Morra and Fratelli Alessandria. Pelaverga typically has a very light color, and often has a strawberry aroma. Hisotrically it was a sparkling wine, but that is less and less common. I haven’t had any that are sparkling recently. But sparkling or not, it’s still one of my favorite wines with mushroom!
Others suggestions of wines with mushroom
Pelaverga is a fairly versatile wine and goes with a variety of dishes, but since it’s not a super easy wine to find, I’ll give you some alternative examples. If you’re making a very creamy mushroom dish, it might be a good idea to pair it with a Barbera, like the one from Cristian Boffa or Fratelli Revello. Or maybe you’re having steak with a side of mushrooms. Then I’d go for a Langhe Nebbiolo or Barolo. Have you tried the Barolo from Paolo Giordano? He makes a great Langhe Nebbiolo as well, but if you can’t get a hold of it, you could try the one from Trediberri.
Summer came and went in Norway already, but here’s to hoping it makes a comeback soon so we can start drinking some summer wine! Disclaimer: you’re allowed to drink a so called “summer wine” anytime. Don’t let the rain and cold discourage you. I’m sure you can find an occasion to open an Arneis regardless of the weather.
Speaking of Arneis, if you haven’t already tried the ones from Ghiomo, you definitely should! He likes Arneis so much, he makes two different ones! The Fussot is a more “everyday” white wine, while the Inprimis is more of a “food wine”. Don’t get me wrong, they both pair well with foods like fish, shellfish, salads and white meat. But if you’re looking for a wine to just sip on the terrace on a hot summer day, or on the couch while watching the newest Netflix flick, the Fussot is the wine to go for.
While we’re on the white wines from Piemonte, I want to recommend the Le Strette Nascetta. Most of you have probably never heard of Nascetta, but that’s because there haven’t been that many around the past years. Thankfully both Elvio Cogno and Le Strette have continued to make this wine! It was long thought that this wine didn’t have any aging potential at all, but in 1993 Elvio Cogno opened a 1986 Nascetta with Valter Fissore and a journalist named Armando Gambera, and the 7 year old wine had help up nicely! I mean, it hadn’t aged for 50 years like a Bordeaux, but who knows, maybe it has potential to age way longer than 7 years!
Another grape that quite recently made a sort of comeback is Timorasso. But although it has become popular recently, there are some who have been making Timorasso for a while already. If you’re ever in Tortona, give Elisa a call. She makes really good Timorasso, like the Derthona. And she’s very fun to visit!
Now, I have to ask: did you know that Elena and Luca have started up a new winery and released 3 new wines?! No? Well, now you do! And yes, they are available in Norway! While I haven’t been to visit the new winery, I have tried the wines. Unsurprisingly, they are very good! The Barbera is super fresh and quite aromatic, and the Langhe Nebbiolo is fruity, balanced with a long finish. And the Dolcetto tastes just like a Dolcetto should taste and has hereby been added to the list of my favorite Dolcetto’s!
If you’ve read this far, you’re clearly dedicated. So, the last three wines are suggested especially for you. Because you deserve only the best. That’s why I think you should try the La Vedetta Barbaresco. I also think you deserve some Champagne, so if you want to treat yourself, go for the Domaine Les Monts Fournois Valleé or Ouditette x Filles Les Sablonnières. The latter needs to be ordered via e-mail, by phone or in-store, but I have faith that you can manage. It’s worth it. I promise.
And with that, I wish you a wonderful summer with lots of summer wine!
There’s not much that hasn’t already been said about Roberto Voerzio. But if I were to try and describe Roberto with one word, the word that comes to mind is “profound”. Yes, he’s a winemaker. Or, more aptly, a winegrower. But he’s so much more. He’s a farmer. A father. A grandfather. A wine lover. And it’s obvious he loves what he does. Hearing him talk about wine is like listening to a great piece of art. And I feel lucky to have had that opportunity.
There are many well-known winemakers in Piemonte, but the winemaking style of Roberto really stands out. Many years ago, the “Barolo Boys revolution” brought about a new approach to winemaking. I won’t go into too much detail right now, but the very general gist is: smaller barrels, shorter maceration, green harvest, and cleaner workspaces. Now, why am I bringing this up right now? Well, it’s mostly to talk about green harvest.
Don’t know what green harvest is? Not to worry, I’ll explain. When a winegrower does green harvest, it means that they are removing grape clusters from the vine. They do this to give the remaining grape clusters even more nutrients. The mindset here is quality over quantity. But imagine you’re a poor farmer, scraping by, and your daughter comes home and starts cutting away grapes that could be used to make wine. Let’s just say it was quite an adjustment.
Today, green harvest is a common practice across the board. And after a little detour, we’re about to get to the point. Because Roberto Voerzio has taken the concept of green harvest to the extreme. He cuts away more grapes than any other farmer (that I know of). Now, you could potentially get at least 1,800g per vine, probably even more. But for his Pozzo, he leaves only about 300g of grapes per vine. 300grams! It’s definitely one of the more extreme examples, but Roberto’s wines are some of the most concentrated wines I’ve encountered in Langhe.
Roberto Voerzio Barbera Il Cerreto 2021
Beautiful nose. Very aromatic. Very concentrated with aromas of dark red fruit. Also quite concentrated in the mouth. Almost felt like I was eating frutti di bosco. In the best way. Long finish.
Roberto Voerzio Langhe Nebbiolo 2021
Not as aromatic as the Il Cerreto, and has aromas of more mature red fruit. Quite fresh. Smooth tannins.
Roberto Voerzio Barolo del Comune di La Morra 2019
The Barolo del Comune di La Morra is made with grapes from 4 different vineyards: Case Nere, La Serra, Fossati and Cerequio. It was a bit closed on the nose at first but opened up very well in the glass. Fruity with smooth tannins.
Roberto Voerzio Barolo Fossati 2019
A beautifully elegant wine. Aromatic and intense. Tannins are quite robust. This might be my favorite wine from this tasting. A very impressive wine.
Roberto Voerzio Barbera La Serra 2015
A super aromatic wine with a beautiful nose. Intense and dense. Tannins are a bit “sharp” at first, but disappear and leave you with a round, elegant wine.
It’s about time to start thinking about wines for Christmas! If I’m being honest, it’s a little late to start thinking about it, so hopefully you’re way ahead of me! The options are endless, but if you’ve been following me for a while, you know I tend to stick to certain areas. Since we don’t have a ton of time, I’m diving right in!
We should touch on wine pairing quickly, because it’s important when choosing wine for your Christmas (or holiday) dinner. In Norway we tend to eat very fatty, salty, heavy foods like pinnekjøtt and ribbe, and for me the obvious choice would be a Barbera. Here you could go for a mineral, fresh Barbera like the one from Emilio Vada or the one from La Vedetta. You could also up the ante and go for a little more structured Barbera. Good options include Ghiomo Lavai and Luigi Pira Barbera Superiore. These will also go well with any charcuterie board or cheese plate, as well as any ragu, or even your New Years Eve turkey, so feel free to stock up for after your Christmas celebration as well.
Now, if you don’t fall in the pinnekjøtt or ribbe category, but rather the juletorsk category, you might want to go for a Pinot Noir. Some of my favorites these days are the ones from Domaine Voillot, Domaine Joillot and Domaine de Bellene. You can of course also pair the cod with Barbera, but I’ve always thought it was good to have options! Since we’ve moved outside the borders of Piemonte, I might as well mention Champagne quickly. Oudiette released a new one this year, Les Sablonnieres, and although you have to order it by e-mailing or calling Vinmonopolet, it’s worth the extra 2 minutes! Just trust me on this. Seriously.
Here are some of the wines I’ve had the past few Christmases.
Wines for Christmas: Gifts
Stuck on what to get your in-laws for Christmas? Or perhaps you’re just tired of shopping? Relax, I’ve got you. You can just order wine online, from the comfort of your own home, or from your phone while you’re on the subway to work. And then you just pick it up at your local store. Since the options are endless, I’ll help you narrow it down!
Hopefully you’ll find some good ideas in here, whether it’s a wine to pair with food or a wine to give to a good friend. And if you order it right now, you might even get it in time for the holidays!
Listen, it’s entirely possible to enjoy quality “value wines”. And what do I mean when I say “value wines”? I mean wines with a high quality-price ratio; wines that won’t break the bank, but are still of high quality. People are very often under the impression that to be able to drink good wines, you have to break the bank. And sure, wine can cost quite a bit. But there are plenty of options out there that are on the more affordable side. So here are some of my favorite value wines from Piemonte, all under 300 NOK.
Wines under 300
In this category, there are tons of options. If you’ve never tried Nascetta, this is your sign to change that. I discovered Le Strette some years ago, and their Langhe Nascetta del Comune di Novello is one of my favorites! Moving on to reds, the Elio Altare Dolcetto is still under 300NOK! This probably won’t last very long, so here’s your chance! Another favorite is the Luigi Pira Barbera d’Alba Superiore, which is also still in this category. Two Langhe Nebbiolo’s that are frequently found in my wine fridge are Francesco Borgono Langhe Nebbiolo and Cristian Boffa Langhe Nebbiolo. The latter is basically a “Baby Barolo”, so it’s a frickin’ steal! Now, there are not that many Barbera + Nebbiolo blends available in Norway, unfortunately. But one of the few that are available is the La Vedetta Swanti.
Wines under 250
Moving on to wines below 250NOK. The number of quality wines available are reduced in correlation to price, but there are still quite a few good options here! Two good Dolcetto’s, one from Luigi Pira and one from Cristian Boffa. Both of them are what I like to call “stainless steel” Dolcetto’s, but the one from Luigi Pira is likely to be a bit “bigger” than the one from Cristian Boffa, mostly due to the location of the grapes. As for Barbera, there’s the one from Trediberri. Aged in stainless steel and cement. Very classic and delicious. The Mauro Veglio “Angelo” Langhe Nebbiolo is another classic. Named for Mauro’s father, it’s always been a very special wine.
Wines under 200
Here’s where it gets tricky. These days, it’s not easy to find a high quality wine under 200NOK. That’s just the way it is. But there are still a select few available in Norway. The Diego Morra Langhe Rosato is now available for only 179kr. And you might think a rosé wine is only suitable for the summer. But did you know that a lot of seafood is considered “in season” in the winter? Which is perfect, because this wine is what I consider a “food wine” that will go great with shrimp, crab, salads or white meat.
Two Dolcetto’s made it into this category, both good, but very different from one another. The Azelia Dolcetto is made from very old vines located in fairly high altitude, making it quite special. You also have the Francesco Borgogno Dolcetto, a “stainless steel” Dolcetto, very clean and fresh.
There you have it. Hope you found some treasures in here.
PS: some of these won’t be available at these prices for long, so I’d act fast. Enjoy!
PIEMONTEGIRL 