Tag Archives: margheria

Luigi Pira

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View Serralunga

It’s been a while since I visited Pira. (Although, if you want to say hello you can just stop by Centro Storico, you’re very likely to run into him there!)

View from Massolino

It’s always a pleasure to visit Pira. This time I learned something new: Gianpaolo is an avid truffle hunter! In his new tasting room you will see some pictures of truffles and his truffle dogs. So I hope to one day join him for a truffle hunt. Mostly just because I love dogs. And because I am sure there will be a celebratory glass of wine waiting for me at the end.

Pira Botti

This is the lineup we tasted. In 2014, Pira only made their classic barolo. No cru barolo. Actually quite common in the area for the 2014 vintages. So keep this in mind when buying 2014 barolo!

Pira Lineup 2018

Wine of the Week

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Azelia Barolo Margheria 2004
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Wine: Barolo Margheria

Producer: Azelia

Region/Appellation: Piemonte, Italy

Grape varieties: Nebbiolo

Vintage: 2004

 

Eye: red-brown, translucent

Nose: mineral, earthy, salty, dark cherries, roses

Mouth: medium-full bodied, earthy, tannins present

Price Point: $60

Available at Vinmonopolet: yes

Available at Systembolaget: no

Margheria: Wine of the Week

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Azelia Barolo Margheria 2004

Margheria is located in Serralunga d’Alba. It has south exposure and a clayey soil. Azelia’s vines are aged about 50 years and the grapes are put in large casks (not small botti) after harvest. All of these excellent traits and make for a very good wine. You can check out Azelia’s wines on their website. 

IMG_9101

 

Wine: Barolo Margheria

Producer: Azelia

Region/Appellation: Piemonte, Italy

Grape varieties: Nebbiolo

Vintage: 2004

 

Eye: deep garnet color

Nose: black fruits, licorice, earthy tones, mineral

Mouth: fruity, mineral, good structure,

Price Point: $60

Available at Vinmonopolet: yes

Available at Systembolaget: yes

Bottle Variance

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Bottle Variance: A conondrum

This Christmas, I experienced Bottle Variance for the first time. It was the strangest thing. We opened 2 Azelia Barolo Margheria 2004, but they tasted like two completely different wines. Both were good: there was nothing wrong with either of the wines, but when we were blind tasting, no one guessed they were the same wine, or even the same vintage.

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Now, this can happen to any wine maker, any wine at any time. Remember, these are products of nature, so there is very little control over the end products. There is also the topic of storage: were they stored at the same place, at the same temperature? The corks, are they the same? Wine makers tend to experiment with different corks, which then could make the bottles act differently. There are so many factors that can affect the wine, which is why bottle variance occurs.

Nonetheless, Azelia makes amazing wines and both these wines were incredible! If you want to know more about Azelia, you can check out their website.

 

 

Winery Wednesday

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Azelia

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Lorenzo is telling us about his wines

At the bottom of the hill of Castiglione Faletto (almost in La Morra) you’ll find Azelia. The winery started producing wine in 1920 and has gradually grown into the winery it is today. Lorenzo and his father Luigi run the winery today, already the 5th generation of winemakers of Azelia.

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As most of the wineries I write about, Azelia takes excellent care of the grapes in the vineyard with green harvest and no pesticides. And in the cellar they try to keep traditions in addition to using more modern techniques. The result is the lineup you see in the picture below!

lorenzo

From Dolcetto to riserva, they go throught the spectrum. With 3 cru barolo and a riserva they represent a great selection of the barolo cru’s with Bricco Fiasco, Margheria and San Rocco. Check out their website for more information