Wine: Langhe Buio
Producer: Enzoboglietti
Region/Appellation: Piemonte, Italy
Grape varieties: 80% Nebbiolo + 20% Barbera
Vintage: 2009
Eye: ruby color
Nose: fruity, floral, leather, earth tones
Mouth: fresh and fruity, full bodied,
Price Point: $23
Available at Vinmonopolet: no
Available at Systembolaget: no
In the mountains, about 2 hours from La Morra, you will find a beautiful hotel called Chandarfei. Elio (along with some friends) has restored a tiny village in Castelmagno (just like a few other wine producers from Piemonte) where you can spend the night, eat, drink and relax. PSA: the road up is dicey, so if you go you might want the number of Chiara, the wonderful woman who works there, and she can come and “rescue” you.
This beautiful hotel is one of the most relaxing places I have ever been. The air is so clean, the rooms are cozy, the food is really good, the nature is breathtaking and the people there are truly wonderful.
One of the most impressive things about this place is the wine list. Should come as no surprise since Elio is in charge. The wine list is better than most of the places I went to in Milan. I will most definitely go to Chandarfei instead of Milan. I hope to be back soon!
You can find Chandarfei on Trip Advisor or you can send me a message and I can put you in touch with Chiara! If you go, say hello to Fritella and Rambo for me! Fritella is the less than helpful herding dog and Rambo is the impressive looking goat!
We all know I am a huge fan of both dolcetto and Cavallotto. So the combination of them both – wow! Cavallotto ages their dolcetto for 6 month in slavonian oak bottim then in cement tanks for 6 months. In my opinion you can store this dolcetto for 5-10 years, but it’s hard to keep them for so long without drinking them!
Wine: Dolcetto Vigna Scot
Producer: Cavallotto
Region/Appellation: Piemonte, Italy
Grape varieties: dolcetto
Vintage: 2016
Eye: ruby red with purple hue
Nose: floral notes, red fruits, hints of almonds
Mouth: fresh, medium body, fruity
Price Point: $12
Available at Vinmonopolet: not currently
Available at Systembolaget: no
This summer I was able to join the La Morra team in their annual competition: Baroliadi!
Picture a sort of Olympics/triathlon with games centering around wine. Sounds like a recipe for success right?! Well it was!
There were 4 different games. First there was the egg toss, where you had to catch an egg in a bag held by two contestants. Second, there was the sack race where you had to carry a bottle during the course and hand it to a team mate. Third you had to slide on a tube while carrying a ball (to make it more difficult I imagine). And lastly, there was the Barrique race. The race starts with chugging a bottle of wine (because why the hell not). Then you have to roll the barrique through a course like a relay race, handing it off to team members along the way. And if you wall, 1 second is added to the time.
It was quite the day! Every year is different, because the host town changes. The only consistency is the barrique relay race. And the party at the end of course.
Oh, and La Morra won. Just FYI.
Wine: Dolcetto d’alba
Producer: Fratelli Revello
Region/Appellation: Piemonte, Italy
Grape varieties: Dolcetto
Vintage: 2013
Eye: violet, red color
Nose: fruity, roses, red cherry
Mouth: fruity, fresh, red berries,
Price Point: $12
Available at Vinmonopolet: no
Available at Systembolaget: no
Perno has to be the best kept secret in Piemonte. You will not only find one of the best restaurants, Republicca di Perno, but you will also find Cascina Fontana. And I finally had the pleasure of visiting the winery. Mario Fontana and his son gave us a tour of the small, but beautiful wine cellar while we did some barrel tasting, followed by a regular tasting of the wines that are ready to leave the winery.
Mario is a passionate and kind person, who follows his heart. His wines are made the “traditional” way, except his barbera which is made the “Mario Fontana” way. In his lineup you will find Dolcetto, Barbera, Langhe Nebbiolo and a Barolo. His barolo is purely a blend, no crus, which is the way everyone made wine back in the day. And Mario has chosen to continue this way.
He showed us an old label (unfortunately it was empty…)
The wines at Cascina Fontana are very good. During my visit we tasted Langhe Nebbiolo 2017 (barrel), Barolo 2017 (tank), Dolcetto 2017, Barbera 2016, Langhe Nebbiolo 2016 and Barolo 2014.
Two things stood out to me. First, he releases his barolo one year later than everyone else. Or has he likes to say “everyone else releases their wine a year early.” Second, Mario said “The wine must reflect the season” when talking about the 2014 vintage. He also said to drink 2014, don’t save it. Very wise guy, this Mario Fontana. And you should def pay him a visit! I am going back soon, that’s for sure.
Wine: Dolcetto d’Alba
Producer: Mauro Veglio
Region/Appellation: Piemonte, Italy
Grape varieties: dolcetto
Vintage: 2016
Eye: intense ruby red, just like dolcetto should look
Nose: floral and fruity, cherries and berries
Mouth: smooth, fresh, easy to drink, frutiy
Price Point: $16
Available at Vinmonopolet: no
Available at Systembolaget: no
If not, you should! I mean, a day of food, wine and beautiful landscape – who can say no to that?
I’ve mentioned Mangialonga before, but basically it’s just a walk where you stop along the way to eat and drink. You work your way through the courses and grapes: dolcetto, barbera, nebbiolo and barolo. It’s a day to have lots of fun, eat and drink until you fall asleep (preferably not during the course, although some have been known to take a nap or two).
I recommend taking the trip – I know I am going! Hopefully I’ll see some of you there. I’ll probably be at one of the stands, so if you’re there this year, please come say hello!
This year’s summer vacation is under way! And surprise surprise – I am heading to Barolo! Hopefully I’ll get to visit some new wineries and try some new things, but I will for sure visit some of the usual places. More e Macine here I come!!!
If you have any tips or suggestions please feel free to send me a message!!
Tour at Altare
We took the whole Norwegian crew to Altare and Silvia gave us a beautiful tour of the vineyards and the winery. Check out that awesome staff!
Pylsa & Barolo Piemonte Edition
Every year for my dad’s birthday we have Pylsa & Barolo. This year we brought the whole crew to La Morra. It was quite the weekend!
Meeting Giovanni Corino’s geese
This was a very strange but fun experience. Those geese were crazy, but they loved Giovanni. FYI I did not pet the goose. Not even close.
Just casually petting his goose
Lunch at Ciccio
Imagine 30+ crazy norwegians signing at the top of their lungs in Serralunga. Ciccio couldn’t believe his eyes. I wonder if we’re allowed to come back?
I am excite to see what this summer will bring! Stay tuned!
PIEMONTEGIRL 