Annette Hilberg arrived in the Roero area from Germany 26 years ago and now seems very settled. She and her husband were about to set off for a tasting of old vintages of Barbera at the end of a long day. She was clearly excited about this, which is great to see in those in […]
Hilberg-Pasquero: ‘bio-ergo-dinamica’ Read More »
Just down the road from Malvirà in Canale itself is Monchiero Carbone which is the product of the two named families joining forces in the present husband and wife team. Again, the winery is hidden from view, here underground, below the courtyard of a traditional dwelling. Parts of the cellar are very old, going
Monchiero Carbone – when two families are better than one Read More »
There are some days when everything is just perfect – the spring sunshine, the countryside emerging from a long hard winter, the place, the people. Our visit to Malvirà was one of those days. As with quite a few wineries in Piemonte, the building could be just a rather larger house from the outside. But
Spring sunshine at Malvirà Read More »
The winery of the historic family firm of Renato Ratti sits overlooking a magnificent sweep of vines, just on the edge of the town of La Morra. Sig. Ratti made a significant contribution to winemaking here, being first off the mark with the classification of the important single vineyards, the ‘cru’. The winery used to
Renato Ratti – history with a view Read More »
This estate was created in 1990 when Elvio Cogno decided to set up in his own name, having previously been part of an important partnership. It is now run by Walter Fissore and his wife Nadia (Elvio’s daughter) who showed us around this beautiful farm house (cascina) which serves as winery and home. It has
Elvio Cogno – a family winery in good health Read More »
Elio Grasso has 16 hectares in the Barolo area with spectacular views of Serralunga d’Alba. Mind you, you almost give the ghost before you arrive because, although it is just outside of Monforte d’Alba, to get to the estate you have to go three quarters the way around a hill to be facing nearly back
Elio Grasso: two styles of Barolo Read More »
Arriving in a famous wine area for the first time is wonderfully exciting. As you drive from the airport (in this case Turin), you pass through the neighbouring countryside which is flat as a pancake, if lying between the snow-covered Alps and the ‘ridges’ which give the Langhe its name. As you approach your destination
Landing in Piemonte Read More »
Central London has been fortunate with new wine-related venues recently. Alongside the tremendous success of Terroirs, near Charing Cross, Bocca di lupo, a splendid restaurant with excellent Italian food and wine, is to be found in a side street near Piccadilly Circus. With both venues booking is pretty much essential – which tells you how
Bocca di lupo – a friendly wolf Read More »
Tasting in situ is a dangerous business. Wines can taste so much better when you are in the winery, the sun is shining or if the proprietor is particularly persuasive. So, it is good to have the chance to re-taste wines in a more neutral setting, with a bit of distance and with the comparison
Campania in the glass in England Read More »
Nicholas Belfrage MW, The Finest Wines of Tuscany and Central Italy. A regional and village guide to the best wines and their producers, Fine Wine Editions, Aurum Press, London, 2009 Nicholas Belfrage is a well-known figure on the English wine scene, a wine trader and author of the best general introduction to Italian wine. An
Wine, people, place: Nicholas Belfrage’s and Jon Wyand’s Tuscany Read More »