Category Archives: wine tasting

Oddero

Posted on by
Reply

si2

Isabella Oddero and I have been friends online for a while, and I figured it was time to meet in person. And what better way thank to do a tasting at the winery. She was kind enough to show me around even though she was sick, and I got the grand and Manhatten, her golden retriever, joined us in the cellar.

si

The Oddero winery is an old one, one of the historical ones in Piemonte, dating back to the 18th century. At the start of the tour there is a little museum showing the old tools used to make wine. I just have to say “Thank God for technology.”

si1

Today, Christina Oddero is the main winemaker, with her niece Isabella doing most of the travelling and wine marketing. The first recorded bottle of wine made is in 1878. Another interesting fact about the Oddero winery is that they have a vineyard in Barbaresco, and make a Barbaresco wine, but they are one of the few who are allowed to bring the grapes back to La Morra and make it there. Usually, if you have vineyards in Barbaresco you can only call the wine Barbaresco if the wine is made within the borders of Barbaresco. The exception was made because Oddero started making Barbaresco before the rule was set in place.

si3

After the tour, we of course tasted some wines. We started with their White wine, which is a blend of Riseling and Chardonnay. It is an unusual blend of grapes, but it was very good and refreshing. We went on to the reds, starting with Dolcetto, then Barbera, then Barolo of course, their Barbaresco, and at the end I tried their Moscato. I LOVE Moscato, especially in the summer! And their Moscato Vineyard was the dowry from Isabella’s grandmothers wedding.

Roberto Voerzio

Posted on by
Reply

This is one for the books.

ok2

I had met Roberto at a Champagne dinner earlier this month, and decided I needed to visit his winery. I have tasted very few, if any, of his wines before, and so it was time. And it was a very good decision. Naturally, I did not expect him to be there. He is a busy man, and as always I try to not expect to much when I visit, as I know it’s a busy business to be in. His daughter in law, Miriam, showed me around (we were a group, it was not just me).

okok1

We started in the vineyard. Few wineries do this, but I think it’s one of the best ways to start a visit. Because, after all, that is where the winemaking starts. And Voerzio is a firm believer in that the winemaking is mostly done in the vineyard. The work done in the cellar, once the grapes are picked, does not have an enormous effect on the wine. And as they add nothing to the wine, it’s really the vines, soil and grapes that makes the wine what it is.

“The wines are an expression of the soil” (paraphrased, but nonetheless what Miri said.

ok3

We of course went in the cellar, where we ran into Roberto. He was doing a tour simultaneously. An example of how busy they are. After the cellar, we went to the beautiful tasting room. We tasted Barolo 2008, Barolo Riserva 2005, Barbera Pozzo 2010 2008 2004. Of all the wines my favorite was the Barbera 2008. Extremely good. They treat this barbera like a barolo, which is probably one of the reasons why it was exceptionally good.

ok4ok5

Now lastly, I want to mention the label. I think this is my favorite label so far. And this is why: As you can see, the label in 2004 does not have a star in the upper left corner, but the 2008 and 2010 do. This is because Roberto’s wife died of cancer. So the star represents her. A beautiful way to commemorate a family member.

Brezza

Posted on by
Reply

Brezza, a winery, hotel and restaurant, lies right on the edge of the town Barolo. The Brezza family bottled their first wine in 1910. Today, the fourth generation runs the operations, with over twenty two hectares. Brezza also has a hotel and a restaurant.

IMG_5394

Brezza has a Langhe Chardonnay and a Rosé. Not many wineries I have visited makes a rosé and it was interesting to taste. I tasted almost all the wines, and I think my favorites were the Barbera Santa Rosalia, Nebbbiolo Santa Rosalia and Barolo Classico 2011. There were a vast number of wines to chose from, and of course the others were good, but the abovementioned three wines stood out for me.

IMG_5391

Brezza uses glass corks on some of their wine. There are different reasons to do this. One is to reduce the number of corcked wines. It is also said that the glass cork preserves the wines better, and the wine will hold onto it’s freshness longer. I have very little knowledge when it comes to traditional cork vs glass cork, but I know the DOCG does not allow glass corks, at least not yet.

Renato Corino

Posted on by
Reply

Renato Corino is the son of Giovanni Corino and the brother of Giuliano Corino. The two brothers, Giuliano and Renato decided to work separately, instead of working together under their fathers name.

Renato Corino started producing his own wines in 2005. The Cantina is located right in Arborina, a prime location for a winery, and he of course produces a Barolo Arborina. He produces Barolos, but also Dolcetto, Barbera and Nebbiolo. Renato works alongside his son, Stefano. Stefano incidently combines winemaking with biking, and participates in several local bike races.

yes1

During my visit we tasted some wines not yet bottled: Nebbiolo 2014, Barbera 2014, Dolcetto 2014 and Barbera Pozzo 2013. Then we resumed the “regular” tasting. The wines have a familiar taste, since they are made in the same areas as the other wines I often drink. It was a very nice visit, the Corino’s are very hospitable and ‘sympatico’. And it was nice to meet someone my age (there are many “old” people in the Barolo area…)

Elvio Cogno

Posted on by
1

IMG_5348

Today I visited the Elvio Cogno winery. Nadia Cogno showed me around the beautiful cantina that sits atop a hill just outside Novello in Barolo. Cogno used to be partners with Marcarini in La Morra, but in 1990 they decided to move to Novello. After 4 generations of winemakers, it is Valter Fissore and Nadia who run the winery today.IMG_5370

During my visit I got to taste the Anaschetta, Dolcetto Mandorlo, Barbera “Bricco di Merli”, Langhe Nebbiolo Montegrilli, Barbaresco Bordini, Barolo Cascina Nuova, and the Barolo Ravera. I think my favorite was the Barolo Ravera. Although the Nebbiolo was also very good!

IMG_5358IMG_5360

I thought it was interesting how they put the barbera in oak but not their langhe nebbiolo! In my mind it’s wonderful that each winery has it’s own quirks and ideas.

Vineyard Road Portfolio Tasting 2015

Posted on by
Reply

Vineyard Road had their portfolio tasting at Eastern Standard today.

IMG_4823

I was very excited to meet with Riccardo Sgarra with Paolo Scavino. His wines have been relevant in the Cantina Granveien household recently, and I was eager to learn more about the winery.

IMG_4820

Riccardo had a whole lineup, starting with their only white, going through the more basic wines and ending with their barolos. Hopefully I’ll be able to visit the winery this summer

In addition to Paolo Scavino, I stopped by a Riesling table, where they had a bottle of Keller Riesling. Although Riseling is not my favorite, it was a good experience.

Vineyard Brand has a great selection, a good variety and very nice people, so the tasting was a great experience.