Barbaresco and Barolo, But Don’t Forget Dolcetto, Barbera and the Whites

Barbaresco and Barolo, But Don’t Forget Dolcetto, Barbera and the Whites

I could not remember my previous experience with wine made from Nebbiolo, but study and reading prepared my expectations of its dark, tannic qualities. Our drive along the Tanaro River northeast from Alba was directed at the commune of Barbaresco as a starting point.

It was apparent that the previous day’s nebbia left on cat’s feet (as Sandburg would say) during the darkness of night yielding the yellow warmth of the morning sunrise at the Hotel Langhe near the center of Alba. The winding road up the Barbaresco hillside offered picturesque vineyards holding ripening grape clusters soon to submit fruity, sweet liquid at the Producttori del Barbaresco.

We worked our way down to the commune of Castiglioni Falletto just east of Barolo during the warming early afternoon. Our next stop was at the Paolo Scavino estate where we were greeted by Eliza Scavino, granddaughter of the founder Paulo.

2005 Bric del Fiasc (Single Vineyard Barolo): The modern history of the Scavino family started with this vineyard, within the Fiasco cru, when in 1978 young Enrico Scavino convinced his father Paolo to vinify these grapes separately. This vineyard has been produced as a monopole since that time. Here the Nebbiolo grapes always seem to be the best.

More at: http://vintagetexas.com/blog/?p=1138

Tags: Alba, Antica Torre, Arneis, Barbaresco, Barbera, Barolo, Bingham Vineyards, Castiglioni Falletto, chardonnay, Dolcetto, Hotel Langhe, Italy, Langhe, Mandola, Nebbiolo, Paolo Scavino, Piedmont, Piemonte, Producttori del Barbaresco, restaurant, Sauvignon Blanc, tasting, Texas, Viognier, winery