Vietti Barolo Castiglione 2010Wine: Barolo Castiglione
Producer: Vietti
Region/Appellation: Piemonte
Grape varieties: Nebbiolo
Vintage: 2010
Eye: Dark ruby red
Nose: Cherries, strwaberries, hint of tobacco
Mouth: Plum, spices, cherries. Good tannins with long finish.
Price Point: $58
Available at Vinmonopolet: Yes (but maybe not 2010 vintage)
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.
Tre Tine RinaldiWine: Tre Tine
Producer: Rinaldi
Region/Appellation: Piemonte
Grape varieties: Nebbiolo
Vintage: 2010
Eye: mid-ruby
Nose: leather, flowers, nuts, berries
Mouth: strawberries, licorice, mineral
Price Point: $94
Available at Vinmonopolet: Yes
Bruno Rocca Rabaja Barbaresco 2012
Wine: Barbaresco Rabaja
Producer: Bruno Rocca
Region/Appellation: Piemonte
Grape varieties: Nebbiolo
Vintage: 2012
Eye: Ruby garnet
Nose: floral, raspberry, cherry
Mouth: soft broad tannins, warm, redcurrant, blackberry, earthy,
Price Point: $60
Available at Vinmonopolet: No
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.
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.
Azelia 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
Langhe 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
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.
Paolo Scavino DolcettoWine: Dolcetto d’Alba
Producer: Paolo Scavino
Region/Appellation: Italy, Barolo
Grape varieties: Dolcetto
Vintage: 2015
Eye: Deep black plum
Nose: Blackberry, mineral,
Mouth: Dry, medium body, frim tannin
Price point: $14
Available at Vinmonopolet: No
PIEMONTEGIRL 