Tag Archives: barolo

Winemakers

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We all know I love wine. But I think it is very important to remember and recognize the people who make the wine. It’s those people who make the decisions and take care of the grapes that eventually becomes the wine we drink.

One of my favorite things to do is to talk to the winemakers. Listen to their stories. Learn from them. Most of them love telling you about their wines and wine making in general. Often my winery visits are more about the kids and the dog than the wines. I can drink most of the wines at home but rarely get the chance to talk to the people who make it. It’s something I look forward too all year, my summer trip to Piemonte.

 

Planning my trip to Barolo

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My next trip to Barolo is fast approaching and the winery visits are quickly adding up. I try to plan as many tastings and dinners as I can, but the Italian people do not do so well with planning. So, they key to success is to plan as many visits as possible, but leave enough space open for impromptu garden parties and aperitivos.

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Claudia Cigliuti and Chiara Boschis

I have booked a few visits. I’ll be visiting Massolino in Serralunga, never been there before. I also booked a visit with Claudia Cigliuti,  I have never been there either. Luisa Rocca is in the books and hopefully she’ll join us for lunch in Babaresco.

I am hoping to be able to visit Ettore Germano as well, everyone knows I love his Herzu! And of course I hope to pay visits to the usual suspects.

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Wine of the Week

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IMG_6565Azelia Barolo 2011

 

Wine: Azelia Barolo

Producer: Azelia

Region/Appellation: Piemonte, Italy

Grape varieties: Nebbiolo

Vintage: 2011

Eye: bright red garnet

Nose: red plum, wild red berries, sweet spices, floral notes

Mouth: ripe fruit flavors, sweet red cherries, dried herbs, minerals

 

Price Point: $47

Available at Vinmonopolet: Yes

#tbt Giulia Negri

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“Now that the Baroloboys have grown up, time may have come for us, the Barologirls.” – Giulia Negri

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Last summer I was in La Morra with my family and we went to visit Giulia Negri, aslo known as Barologirl. Giulia is a friend of mine but I had never before been to her winery. We sat in the garden, drank wine and ate salumi, while playing with the dogs and learning about their wines.

Giulia is young and she has a passion for Pinot Noir and Burgundy. She makes her own Pinot Noir wine and it’s quite good! Their winery makes two separate wines, Giulia Negri and Serradenari. Giulia’s mother also makes wine at the winery.

Check out both the wineries at www.giulianegri.com and www.serradenari.com.

Pylsa & Barolo

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Every year we have an event called “Pylsa & Barolo”. The event is in reality my fathers birthday celebration, but he doesn’t like to celebrate his birthday, so he organizes a garden party instead. The whole concept is that we serve different kinds of Hot Dogs with Barolo as the wine pairing. It is a strange combination but somehow it just works.

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This year’s lineup was composed of what we call “family wine”. Over the years we have made many friends in Barolo, and some of these winemakers have become part of the family along the way. Bartolo Mascarello has always been a favorite, and we are a big fan of Maria Teresa and Alan. If we are having #family wine” Altare has to be on the list. Not only have I worked at the winery, they are our oldest friends in Barolo. Their neighbors, Mauro Veglio are also considered part of the family. Daniela and Mauro are wonderful. Last but not least there is Vietti. Luca and Elena are a riot and I always feel at home with them. My favorite thing to do with them is to sit around their dining table, listening to the family while drinking wine and eating home made food. I wish they could all have been there yesterday but at least I will see them all in July!

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This was the final tally. 24 bottles of wine.

Wine of the Week

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IMG_6573Langhe Nebbiolo Bartolo Mascarello

 

Wine: Langhe Nebbiolo

Producer: Bartolo Mascarello

Region/Appellation: Piemonte, Italy

Grape varieties: Nebbiolo

Vintage: 2012

Eye: Deep ruby color

Nose:  Mineral, rose, sweet red fruit

Mouth: Medium body, fresh fruit,

 

 

Price Point: $47

Available at Vinmonopolet:  Yes

#tbt Paolo Scavino

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Riccardo Sgarra with Paolo Scavino

When I was a student in Boston, I tried to go to as many wine tastings as I could. At a Vineyard Road tasting I ran into Riccardo who works at Paolo Scavino. It is always a pleasure when someone who works at the winery or makes the wine comes to the tastings. It makes it a lot more personal. I met Riccardo again when I was in Barolo last summer, he gave me a tour of the winery and then we tasted some wines. They were as good as I remember.

You can check out their wines here.

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