Press and Tasting Notes
Those who want to experience a sensational Barbaresco wine without breaking the bank should start with the Langhe Nebbiolo. It is a gorgeous effort redolent of crushed flowers, spices, menthol and sweet fruit. Sweet raspberries, flowers, mint and herbs swirl around in the glass. Once again, the Langhe Nebbiolo here over delivers for the money. "It is easily the equal of many Barbarescos." Robrt Parker
Country
The Fine Wines Of Italy: Italy is the world's largest producer of wine. Throughout Italy's long history, fine Italian wine and food have been integral to its culture. As a result, Italy has numerous indigenous varietals that are grown specifically to compliment foods from its particular regions. The most well known Italian wine regions are Piedmont, Tuscany and Veneto. In Piedmont, the age worthy noble red varietal Nebbiolo is king, while in Tuscany, Sangiovese is the prominent red varietal. In the Veneto, Corvina and Molinara are the primary planted red varietals. Italy has many indigenous and widely planted white varietals such as Venmentino, Falanghina, Tocai Fruliano, Arneis and Cortese, but Pinot Grigio is by far the most well known. Other notable Italian wines come from Sardinia, Umbria, Campania, and Sicily. Fine Italian wines are made by many great producers, however, we are quite fond of the following wines of Italy: Antinori, Bruno Giacosa, Paolo Scavino, Gaja, Castello Banfi, La Spinetta, Luigi Pira, Alesino, Siro Pacenti, Ciacci Piccolomini, Giacomo Borgogno & Figil, Tenuta San Guido and many other Italian wines.
Region
Piedmont
In northern Italy, Piedmont is home to a number of grape varietals. Among them is the "noble grape" Nebbiolo. Grown in several sub-regions, the most popular Nebbiolos hail from Barolo, Barbaresco, Langhe, Gattinara and Nebbiolo d'Alba.
Barolos and Barbarescos boast delicious notes of cherry, rose petal and spice and thus often called the Burgundies of Italy. Ageworthy, these wines typically have well balanced structure that allows them to evolve for decades. Between them, Barolos are often characterized as king and Barbaresco as queen, with the latter often displaying a bit softer and more femanine interpreation of the grape - but ageworthy just the same.
In addition to Nebbiolo, Piedmont is known for more fruit forward varietals, such Barbera and Dolcetto, which display dark berry and plum flavors. And, though predominently known for red wine, Piedmont is home to delicious whites such as Gavi (Cortese), Arneis and Chardonnay.
