Writing about the wines of Piemonte, Italy and France
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 »
Tasting top vintages of Fontanafredda’s Vigna La Rosa, the historic Barolo producer’s top wine
Fontanafredda’s Vigna La Rosa vintages Read More »
Following the publication of The Wines of Piemonte, the International Wine and Food Society has asked me to contribute to its vintage and drinkability chart for Piemonte. These are my vintage reflections on beginning this task. I am following in the illustrious footsteps of Nick Belfrage MW, pioneer writer on Italian wine, and Michael Garner,
Diary 53: vintage reflections Read More »
DOC/DOCGs in Piemonte Piemonte is proud to have no fewer than 60 wine denominations and no IGT wine. But this number of DOCs/DOCGs brings problems as well. Mapping Barbera denominations in Monferrato shows these very clearly. In the 1970s, there was a rush to create the newly available accreditation as a DOC. Barolo and Barbaresco
Diary 52: Mapping Barbera Read More »
And finally, it’s been a busy time! In September, my 400-page book, The Wines of Piemonte, was published … And here is what I tasted, no drank, with my local tasting group to celebrate the happy day. The tasting reflects the book: Barolo and Barbaresco of course, but so much more! Great grape varieties, a
Diary 52: a celebration tasting Read More »
It was great to be able to taste the wines of a larger Friulian company, based in Friuli Grave. Normally all the spotlight is on Collio and Friuli Collio Orientali, rather than on the flatter plain normally associated with volume production and Glera for Prosecco. The winery Piera 1899 produces a number of lines but