It is always a pleasure to visit new producers. I have commented on Emanuele Gambino before, a winery only set up in 2016. He makes a very good dry, still Moscato, a rarity in the Asti area. I visited his winery and boutique hotel outside Costigliole d’Asti in May 2024. This allowed me also to
Diary 63: Cadgal, revived Moscato specialist Read More »
There are not many tastings which show that your understanding of a grape variety is completely wrong. But Schiava becomes Vernatsch or new generation Vernatsch was one such event. Organised by Walter Speller, Italy editor of JancisRobinson.com, he persuaded nine producers who make new style Vernatsch to come to London from Alto Adige/Südtirol to show
Schiava becomes Vernatsch Read More »
Tasting and learning Nebbiolo Prima is the by-invitation-only tasting of the latest releases of Nebbiolo wines held in Alba each January. The current releases were Barolo 2020, Barolo Riserva 2018, Barbaresco 2021, Barbaresco Riserva 2019, Roero 2021 and Roero Riserva 2020. The wines are served blind. Those who are invited are principally those who score
Diary 62: Nebbiolo Prima Academy 2024 Read More »
This year I had the honour of making a presentation on themes from my book, The Wines of Piemonte, at the annual producers’ meeting. This is hosted by Vignaioli Piemontesi/Piemonte Land of Wine in Turin. It was conveniently timed leaving just a long weekend between it and the trade show which features the new releases
Diary 61: Caluso revisited Read More »
I owe Borgogno a considerable debt. It was a vertical of their wines that definitively helped me to understand the capacity of Nebbiolo to age positively for decades. This was well before I researched and wrote my The Wines of Piemonte. There were undoubtedly other influences that led me to choose Piemonte over Tuscany or
Diary 60: a second Borgogno Barolo Riserva vertical Read More »
Before we get to the Ceretto wines, we should celebrate the exceptional view of Castiglione Falletto, within Barolo DOCG, from the Bricco Roche vineyard. This vineyard is a monopole of the Ceretto family and the site of the small winery where its single vineyard wines are made. I happened to catch the view on a
Diary 59: Ceretto Barolo and Barbaresco vertical Read More »
It was a pleasure to start my week of visits and vintage tastings with Paola Sordo of the historic Sordo winery. The bonus was tasting with its current winemaking consultant, Gian Luca Colombo. He was a partially objective participant as most of the wines we tasted were made before he began to work with the
Diary 58: Sordo Barolo vertical Read More »
Perched high above the village of Barolo in the hamlet of Vergne, G.D. Vajra has long been one of the most respected names in the Langhe. My first visit was in my blogging days in 2010 but the wines are well known in the UK through the outstanding promotion of their importer, Liberty Wines. There
Diary 57: G.D. Vajra Barolo vertical Read More »
Visiting Produttori, especially in the company of Aldo Vacca, is always a great pleasure. The wines are spot on; Aldo Vacca is a treasury of knowledge about the history, grape growing and winemaking of Barbaresco. When I wrote to him explaining my Nebbiolo vintages project he came up with all sorts of reasons why this
Diary 56: Produttori del Barbaresco vertical Read More »
The wines of Gaja in Barbaresco have been characterized by five generations of excellence and innovation, with the classic Barbaresco as its largest offering. Following a vertical tasting with Giovanni Gaja, the 2021 vintage was noted for its aromatic intensity and berried fruit, while the 2020 may eventually outshine due to moderate later-season temperatures. Comparison of older vintages revealed consistent quality, with standout years like 2016, 2010, and 2004 demonstrating the label’s long-term maturation potential.
Diary 55: Gaja Barbaresco vertical Read More »
