Eve's Wine 101

Perlises Pick From Summer 2022 Wines

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With the hot summer of 2022 at an end, we thought we’d share with our readers some of our favorite wines from the last few months.

2021 Clos Solene La Rose – a blend of 56% Grenache, 26% Mourvedre, 17% Cinsault and 10% Syrah, all from the Adelaida district of Paso Robles and all farmed specifically for rosé. Light and very refreshing with fragrant citrus notes and a medium to long finish. A vegetarian pizza topped with fresh bitter arugula made a great match on a hot summer night. The note on the label from winemaker Guillaume Fabre adds to the mood: “As if he was presenting her with a rose, my father would give my mother a glass of wine of his Rosé.  He liked to look at her examining the color and smell.  At each of the sips, his mind would start thinking, I love you a little, a lot, passionately…” www.clossolene.com

2021 Benom L’essor – another rosé made by Guillaume Fabre, this time at the Paso Robles winery he owns with his brother Arnaud. This unusual blend of 78% Grenache and 22% Cabernet Sauvignon is very light and fresh with Meyer Lemon notes and an impression of a slight sweetness on its long finish.  A light dinner of a salad of arugula/tangerine/Boursin cheese with San Pasqual dressing (Italian balsamic vinaigrette champagne-style dressing made by Valencia’s Marston’s Restaurant) and chicken salad/celery/nuts/raisin spread on crostini was a very enjoyable combination.

www.benomwines.com

2021 Idlewild Flora and Fauna Rosé – Sam Bilbro is the youngest of the Bilbro Brothers making wine in Sonoma County [the other two are Scot at Marietta Cellars and Jake at Limerick Lane] and he has chosen to focus on Italian varietals. This blend of 41% Nebbiolo, 30% Dolcetto, and 29% Barbera along with just a touch of Grignolino, primarily from Fox Hill Vineyard in Mendocino County, has plum notes and a slightly sweet and well-rounded finish. This paired perfectly with freshly made Tagliatelle Bolognese pasta with a slow braised pork ragu, basil and grated 18-month aged parmesan cheese.

www.idlewildwines.com

2021 Bedrock Ode to Lulu Rosé – Bedrock’s annual homage to the late Lulu Peyraud of Bandol, this blend of Mataro/Mourvèdre from the historic Pato and Evangelho Vineyards in Contra Costa County along with Cinsault and Grenache from Sonoma County’s Dry Creek Valley may be Bedrock’s best rosé yet. With notes of peach and persimmon and a long, dry finish, this was a great pairing with chicken siu mai, pork potstickers, and baby bok toy with garlic.

2019 Bedrock Sauvignon Blanc Judge Family Vineyard – this might be our favorite SB we’ve had so far from Bedrock. Big, bright, ripe melon notes with a full mouth feel on the finish and a dinner of chicken thighs marinated in pureed eggplant/bell pepper/tomato sauce with haricot verts was delicious. www.bedrockwineco.com

2021 Keplinger Rosé – while superstar winemaker Helen Keplinger may be better known for her delicious reds, this 35% Grenache, 35% Mourvedre, 30% Syrah blend from the famed Shake Ridge Vineyard in Amador County is an outstanding rosé with tangerine notes, a medium finish and a big rounded mouth feel. A simple meal of a small Caesar salad, shrimp cocktail, followed by mangoes dipped in chocolate hummus was all we needed.www.keplingerwines.com

2021 Bodega Garzón Albariño Reserva – yes, we do drink wines from outside California, sometimes far outside. Uruguay’s Bodega Garzón has garnered so many accolades from respected critics and publications that it is impossible to count, including being named the 2018 New World Winery of the Year by Wine Enthusiast. From their website: “Located between Brazil and Argentina, Uruguay stands as one of the most prominent countries in the Latin American winegrowing world. Its location – on the same latitude as Argentina, Chile, South Africa, Australia and New Zealand, and its temperate climate favor growing grapevines throughout its territory.” We appreciated this wine’s Meyer lemon notes, full and intense mouthfeel and gentle, long finish and enjoyed it with roasted branzino with a panko and parsley crust and roasted brussel sprouts. www.bodegagarzon.com/en/

2013 Carlisle Syrah – finally, lest you think we have forsaken red wines entirely, we loved this 100% Syrah from Rosella’s Vineyard in the Santa Lucia Highlands of Monterey County. From an area known more for Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, Carlisle sources these grapes to make a delicious wine with plum and raisin notes with a long, luscious finish.   It married well with a rare hanger steak and zucchini latkes. www.carlislewinery.com

Michael and Karen Perlis have been pursuing their passion for wine for more than 30 years. They have had the good fortune of having numerous mentors to show them the way and after a couple of decades of learning about wine, attending events, visiting wineries and vineyards, and tasting as much wine as they possibly could, they had the amazing luck to meet Eve Bushman. Michael and Karen do their best to bring as much information as possible about wine to Eve’s Wine 101 faithful readers.

The Second Edition of The “Barolo En Primeur” Charity Auction To Take Place on October 28, 2022

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NEW YORK (PRWEB) – The Barolo en Primeur auction will take place on October 28, 2022 at the Grinzane Castle in Piedmont, Italy, and will stream live to New York City. Like the first edition, the auction will feature 15 barriques, each yielding approximately 300 bottles of the most recent Barolo vintage, 2021. The event is organized by Cassa di Risparmio di Cuneo Foundation in partnership with the Consorzio di Tutela Barolo Barbaresco Alba Langhe e Dogliani, representing almost 540 wine producers in Piedmont, Italy, in collaboration with Christie’s global auction house, and internationally renowned wine critic, Antonio Galloni.

The first edition of Barolo En Primeur was an international success, raising an impressive donation of 660,000 euros for 17 charities. All donations were awarded directly to projects in the non-profit field, as selected by the organizers and donors.

“With this operation, the only one of its kind, CRC Foundation has created a charity event at the national and international level, focusing on a single territory, its beauties, singularities and products of excellence, creating an innovative event that will generate important social benefits,” commented Ezio Raviola, President of Cassa di Risparmio di Cuneo Foundation.

The 15 barriques that will be available at auction contain wine made from grapes from the historic Cascina Gustava Vineyard, Grinzane, a four-hectare (9.8 acres) vineyard dedicated solely to Nebbiolo, recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The wine was produced and vinified by Donato Lanati, the internationally renowned enologist.

Again, this year the proceeds will be donated to social projects and initiatives in the fields of health, research, the arts and culture, as well as those promoting social inclusion and safeguarding of the Italian cultural heritage.

“The Barolo En Primeur event represents an initiative of highly scientific, educational and human value, capable of combining various aspects: the promotion of the wine-growing area, of which the vineyard is the mainstay, research with in-the-field teaching, and the important social aims pursued by the CRC Foundation,” explained Lanati.

In addition to the 15 barriques, this second edition will include participation from wine producers of the Barolo Barbaresco Alba Langhe and Dogliani Consortium, who will auction a selection of the most prized bottles of Barolo and Barbaresco coming from prestigious villages of both appellations, which include 10 lotti comunali (seven lots of Barolo 2021 from different Comuni (municipalities) and three 2021 Barbaresco lots).

“The Barolo en Primeur charity event is not only of great historical and social importance but is also highly significant for the Barolo wine sector, which is projected at an international level,” added Matteo Ascheri, President of the Consortium for the Protection of Barolo Barbaresco Alba Langhe and Dogliani.

The 300 bottles from each barrique and the bottles from the wineries will be ready in 2025, following the mandatory aging process for Barolo, and will be numbered and marked with a label specially created by an internationally renowned artist. This is a unique opportunity for wine connoisseurs, collectors, investors, and philanthropists, who are invited to take part in an international charity initiative that showcases one of the most world-renowned Italian wine appellations, its values of quality and sustainability, its territory, and the good causes that will benefit from it.

Ahead of Barolo en Primeur 2022, Antonio Galloni, who tasted the wine of each barrique, will publish his tasting notes in Vinous Media, so that potential bidders can read his opinion about how these rare wines capture the essence of Barolo and of the Gustava Vineyard, and their long ageability.

“The event offers collectors an unprecedented opportunity to participate in a philanthropic initiative of great importance and to benefit from a barrique of Barolo of the 2021 vintage, obtained from a specific parcel within a historic vineyard,” noted Antonio Galloni, Founder & CEO, Vinous. “Bidders should be encouraged by the rarity of the wines, the specially commissioned works of art and charitable causes, and all this contributes to making this initiative truly special.”

Information on how to take part in the auction can be found at http://www.fondazionecrcdonare.it

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About the Fondazione Cassa di Risparmio di Cuneo: On 24 January 1992, the Cassa di Risparmio di Cuneo Foundation was established, a private and independent non-profit body pursuing aims of social and economic benefit and promotion. The Foundation is inspired by philanthropic aims and makes contributions to public and private non-profit organizations as well as directly promoted projects in the fields of education, welfare, culture, local development, health, scientific research and sport. The initiatives are supported by the resources deriving from the management of the Foundation’s assets, which comfortably exceed one billion euros.

The Foundation’s activities aim to contribute to the development of the communities in its area, supporting their capacity for innovation and strengthening their cultural and educational offerings, so as to create more united and supportive social conditions. Teamwork in synergy with the territory, alongside the third sector and public bodies, in collaboration with citizens and institutions. With Barolo en Primeur, CRC Foundation has created a charity event at national and international level, focusing a territory, its beauties and singularities, creating an innovative event that can generate important social benefits.

About the Consorzio Di Tutela Barolo Barbaresco Alba Langhe e Dogliani: Founded in 1934 and representing over 500 wine producers across multiple appellations, the consortium is committed to the management, protection, and promotion of the Langhe, Alba, and Dogliani wine denominations. The Consortium ensures high quality by a set of formal production guidelines for the entire winemaking process, from agronomy to market surveillance. The Consortium continues to perform periodic sampling of wine products on the market to prevent fraud and to protect the wines’ authentication and reputation. Barolo & Barbaresco are registered trademarks in many countries throughout the world.

Barolo and Barbaresco World Opening Event Is Back With 2022 Edition In Los Angeles

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LOS ANGELES (PRWEB) – The Consorzio di Tutela Barolo Barbaresco Alba Langhe e Dogliani, the association representing over 500 wineries in Piedmont, Italy, is pleased to announce the second annual edition of Barolo & Barbaresco World Opening in Los Angeles. The upcoming event will feature the most recently released vintages of Barolo and Barbaresco, 2018 and 2019, respectively. The Barolo & Barbaresco World Opening is a unique occasion to learn more about the two iconic red wines of Piedmont. Through this comprehensive event, the consortium aims to increase awareness and build excitement in the United States market by providing direct encounters with the most influential wines of these famous appellations.

BBWO 2022 will begin on April 28th with a preview tasting for Master of Wine, critics, sommeliers and journalists from Europe and the United States to analyze the overall quality of the 2018 and 2019 vintages. The tasting will be followed by an exclusive gala reception in Hollywood at Paramount Pictures Studios, featuring a celebration of Piedmontese food and wine culture.

On April 29th, at the InterContinental Hotel in downtown Los Angeles, over 150 producers will present their Barolo and Barbaresco wines to press, trade, and consumers with a walk-around tasting. Both the Barolo DOCG and Barbaresco DOCG appellation wines will be poured during the tasting, as well as select single-vineyard labels.

“After the tremendous success of the inaugural event, we are thrilled to return to the United States with the second edition in Los Angeles this year,” said Matteo Ascheri, President of the Consortium. “The Barolo & Barbaresco World Opening is an incredible opportunity to present our wines, our traditional food and our culture to the most influential wine personalities in the United States, ​​our highest-volume export market.”

The renowned Barolo and Barbaresco wines, often called the “king and queen” of the Langhe region where they are made, are produced from 100 percent Nebbiolo grapes. Age-worthy and complex, these wines have a long history of production in Piedmont and express the nuances of the region’s microclimates. In addition to the Barolo DOCG and Barbaresco DOCG appellations, producers may use the term MGA (Menzioni Geografiche Aggiuntive) on qualifying labels to indicate single-vineyard bottlings. The Grand Tasting will feature an area dedicated to these MGA wines.

The Langhe region, situated in the southern part of the Piedmont region between the Alps and the Apennines mountains, was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site for the cultural history of its vineyard-covered hills, a manifestation of wine traditions that have evolved since pre-Roman times, yet remain central to the daily economic activity and social life of the region. The region’s distinctive microclimates and unique geological soil types can be tasted in the glass year-after-year, making the Langhe home to some of the world’s most respected wines, among them Barolo and Barbaresco. To uphold the quality of these wines and its land, the Consortium maintains strict agriculture guidelines, such as the yield per hectare planting regulations set in 2011.

The event will also include cheeses of Fontina Valle d’Aosta PDO, and rice of Biella and Vercelli Barraggia PDO. Over two days, participants will have the chance to take a culinary journey to Italy, tasting Barolo and Barbaresco wines paired with Fontina PDO cheeses and risotto prepared with Baraggia rice. The Barolo & Barbaresco World Opening event is part of the European campaign “Top Tales: A piece of Europe on your table,” created to increase awareness of these three PDO products in the United States market.

For more information about the Barolo & Barbaresco World Opening events, contact BBWOevents@colangelopr.com, for media inquiries contact merland@colangelopr.com.

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About Top Tales: Top Tales is a project supported by the European Union aimed at promoting Fontina DOP from Valle d’Aosta, Rice di Baraggia Biellese e Vercellese DOP, as well as the DOCG’s Barolo and Barbaresco. The European communication campaign Top Tales: A piece of Europe on your table, is designed to increase the awareness of the three DOP products in the United States market.

About the Consorzio Di Tutela Barolo Barbaresco Alba Langhe E Dogliani: Founded in 1934 and representing 537 wine producers across multiple appellations, the Consortium is committed to the management, protection, and promotion of the Langhe, Alba, and Dogliani wine denomination. The Consortium ensures high quality by a set of formal production guidelines for the entire winemaking process, from agronomy to market surveillance. The Consortium continues to perform periodic sampling of wine products on the market to prevent fraud and to protect the wines’ authentication and reputation. Barolo & Barbaresco are registered trademarks in many countries throughout the world.

About Consorzio Tutela Fontina: The Consortium was created in 1957 to protect Fontina DOP, its production and distribution. The entity releases the Fontina DOP trademark on every wheel of Fontina produced following the Consortium’s rules.

About Consorzio Tutela Riso di Baraggia Biellese e Vercellese: the rice from Biella and Vercelli was awarded the PDO status in 2007 after the European Union verified its unique quality and nutritional characteristics. Today, the denomination covers 22,000 ha of paddy fields across 28 communes.

Vintage Eve Circa 12/2018 – Local Author John Carter Pens Book on Wine and Cheese Pairings: Red, White and Bleu (Eve is highlighted)

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I’ve known John Carter for many years, and it’s been a pleasure to watch his wine journey from selling great bar parts to now hosting this collection of interviews with experts on wine and cheese. Happy to be one of his subjects to share my own story, I also enjoyed reading the book to learn from the experts.

top row l-r: Tim McDonald, Richard Jennings, Eve, Steve Peck. bottom l-r: Eva and Fred Swan, Steve Heimoff, Gina DeGirolamo. (Just wanted to share this pic of Tim, the same night I interviewed him.)

From Michelle Chiu I learned about a new app that helps people find the right wine for their specific tastes; from Laurie Forster I learned that “if you can’t pronounce it, you should be drinking it”; I now want to do a wine tour with Leslie Frelow’s company in Maryland; from Jill Gerda I learned that there’s more to cheese than just the color; reading about Chris Hanson of the Laurentia Vineyard in Ohio I now understand a bit more about wineries that have to deal with blizzard conditions; Brian Heath and his vineyard in Texas…he makes wine there and buys grapes from Paso as well.

From there I learned from Stacie Hunt, who I’ve taken classes from as well as judged with. I always look forward to classes with Stacie. In her interview I did learn a few more things about her, including this gem when she was explaining her interests in Baja winemaking, “Grapes are very much like we are.

Malbec doesn’t taste like Malbec in France at all when it’s coming from Argentina, but it’s wonderful and it’s delicious. The same goes for Nebbiolo in Baja, California.”

Washington state winemaker Reid Klei echoed my sentiment, and the sentiment of many of us in the book, in how there is too much “pretentiousness” in the wine industry – in between all of the great wine and cheese pairings we were asked about – and I hope this book helps to change that negative perception.

Another peer I’ve also had the honor to interview myself that is in the book is Tim McDonald. Tim is a revered wine judge I hope to judge alongside with someday! In the meantime, in this interview, new for me was his suggestion that we try more imported wines even though we’re here in California and home to some of the best wines.

Okay, that’s enough of a teaser from me. Grab the book so you can get the full story, and read the interviews from those I didn’t mention: cookbook author Jorj Morgan, lifestyle expert Jojo Pasters and one of the “five best female wine professionals in the world” – Amy Reiley.

Eve Bushman has a Level Two Intermediate Certification from the Wine and Spirits Education Trust (WSET), a “certification in first globally-recognized course” as an American Wine Specialist ® from the North American Sommelier Association (NASA), Level 1 Sake Award from WSET, was the subject of a 60-minute Wine Immersion video (over 16k views), authored “Wine Etiquette for Everyone” and has served as a judge for the Long Beach Grand Cru and the Global Wine Awards. You can email Eve@EveWine101.com to ask a question about wine or spirits.

My Fave Wines From 2020: The Year When Drinking Wine Became Everyone’s Favorite Pastime

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Lots pop into our heads when we think of 2020, and of course we aren’t out of the woods yet, or even close, so far for 2021. For me it was a windfall of wines sent for review, often accompanied by a Zoom tasting led by the winemaker. I (virtually) traveled to Germany, Spain, Argentina, France, Italy and more in those meetings and via my own cellar. And before Covid shut things down I did have quick trips to Los Olivos, Paso Robles and the Lompoc Wine Ghetto. Below is a collection of some of my favorite wines from 2020. If any of this sounds good to you, go find these wines!

It turns out that I had about 50 wine tastings, if not more, in 2020. These shout-outs are from EveWine101 website articles: the 2020 Gambero Rosso Master Class, 2017 Bordeaux presented by the Union des Grand Crus, Vega Sicilia collectors dinner with Pablo Alvarez, Fontanafredda Barolo, wine from New Zealand’s Waipapa Bay, Folded Hills Winery with winemaker Angela Osborne, California Wine STARS 2020, LA County Wines (Byron Blatty, Acri Wine Company, Angeleno Wine Company and Cavaletti Vineyards), Zoom tasting with Suzanne Phifer Pavitt and their 2012 Date Night Cabernet, Camins 2 Dreams, Gary Farrell single vineyard Pinots with winemaker Theresa Heredia, revisiting Montemar, catching up with winemaker Mark Cargasacchi and Jalama wines, also visiting Ampelos and Zotovich in Lompoc, Switchback Ridge via the Grand Reserves Reward Master Card, tasting from family-owned wineries with Dr. Laura Catena, Anne Trimbach, Laure Colombo and Alessia Collauto Travaglini, great wines that stole my palate but not my wallet from Guarachi Wine Partners, reviewing DAOU’s Soul of a Lion, Tenuta Montemagno sparkling Barbera, Castello di Fonterutoli with Giovanni Mazzei, Paul Kornell Sparkling…

In SCV Elite Magazine this year I got to write about wine tasting in Paso Robles just before the shutdown. Had exceptional experiences at Thacher Winery, Tablas Creek Vineyard, Derby Wine Estates, Steinbeck Wines, Cass Wines, Eberle Winery, Oso Libre Winery, HammerSky vineyards and the Allegretto Vineyard Resort.

January started out great with my first, and last, visit and dinner at Marstons with my VP/BFF Michael Perlis, our wonderful spouses, all over lots of wine ($10 corkage!) including 2013 Audacious Grenache/Syrah/Cab blend by Law Estate, 2013 Comstock Rockpile/Sonoma County Zinfandel, 2009 Regusci Zinfandel Napa Valley…

At Wine 661: Lucas And Lewellen tasting where we sampled five of their Santa Barbara County wines, including a Rose of Pinot and a Bordeaux blend. Had a couple of wines off of the Happy Hour menu. This was not the last time I went to Wine 661 in 2020…

Now some single bottle shout outs:

Vinos Zanzonico 2017 Syrah Reserva: 100% Syrah, 13.5% alcohol, from the Valle de la Grulla area of Baja. With a regal dark purple color, I was drawn in to fantastic aromas of sweet black cherry, plum, tri-color peppercorns, layers of rich bark, milk chocolate…all very welcoming. I went in for a taste and was rewarded with a very rich and layered mouthfeel, with dark and dry blue to black fruit, grilled mushrooms, peppery spicy goodness and tannins that held my back palate at attention for a length that just would…not…quit. 99 Eve points.

2014 Old Vine Zichichi Family Vineyard Zinfandel from the Dry Creek Valley: The 14.8% alcohol didn’t translate at all to a hot wine on the palate, instead it delivered incredible substance. It started with a nose full of sweet dark plums, pipe tobacco, black licorice, toasted oak, black pepper and popcorn kernel. Going in for a taste my mouth was filled with delicious dried blueberry and blackberry, that same black pepper, tannins that held firm, and a great balance of the dark fruit and tannins to keep it lingering a long time on the palate. This was a new Zin discovery for me, will definitely be looking for it again!

Entourage by Two Papas Wine barrel fermented (1) and stainless steel (2) 2019 Chardonnay, Thompson Vineyard, Santa Barbara County: 1. Barrel: Designated by a gold wax top (the stainless has a silver wax top) I was amazed that this was a young 2019 vintage! It had lovely notes of creamy butter, pineapple, golden delicious apple and popcorn kernel that morphed into caramel apple on the palate, mild acidity, with a long, balanced and lush finish. 2. No barrel: Our stainless sibling gave off nicely scented whiffs of Meyer lemon, both cantaloupe and honeydew melon, and a little unsalted butter. When I tasted the wine I got homemade fruit cocktail, wet pebbles, low acidity and a medium finish.

2018 Kindred Rose of Pinot Noir: The color of rose gold, complete with sparkles! Then on the nose I found pink grapefruit, lemon pith, French Toast, Creme Brûlée, and Mandarin orange = all very inviting! In for a taste next, there is a very round mouthfeel, and the same citrus fruits I found on the nose – grapefruit, lemon and orange – with a medium acidity. Enjoy now, with or without food IMO! 

2015 Phifer Pavitt XRoads Cabernet Sauvignon: Crushed dark cherry, wet forest floor, grilled steak and mushrooms, dark chocolate, black licorice, pipe tobacco, toasted oak, a hint of sweet cream and more all on the nose. Flavors included that same black cherry as well as blackberry, blueberry, a gamut of spices, velvety and firm drying tannins that of course require that you go back in for another sip…and another.

2012 Regusci Patriarch Proprietary Red: aroma: dark berries, dried leaves, figs, toasted oak and a bit o’ mint. Some of the same aromas in the flavors with the addition of dark chocolate.

2001 Giacomo Conterno Cascina Francia, a Nebbiolo from Barolo, Piedmont…I  looked for the roses, tar, licorice and red berries (notes from a professional critic) and also found tart berries, spice and tannins after decanting for 7 hours. So interesting.

Have you tried Guentota, aka the “Soul of Cuyo”, a “100-YR-OLD-VINE PREMIUM 2016 MALBEC” from Mendoza, Argentina? It’s from Belasco De Baqueano and was awarded 91 points from James Suckling. And I was far too busy lapping it up to make any tasting notes. But find it at Newhall Press Room. (Truth be told I had a LOT of wine from Newhall Press in 2020!)

2002 Joseph Phelps Insignia, I have no notes as I was also too busy drinking to take any. A stellar wine as it’s been proven vintage after vintage.

1999 Bartolo Mascarello Barolo: The nose and taste had really changed and mellowed over the 7 hours, with aromas of dried dark fruit, grilled mushroom, balsamic, dust and oak; on the palate I got both bright and dark fruit in a very fine balance.

From my local Pulchella Winery we had: Suspect sparkling wine, 2019 Latitude Sauvignon Blanc and Viognier blend, 2017 Mercenary Zinfandel blend, 2018 Witness Grenache…among others!

A note on Los Olivos: this was a non-press trip so no notes were taken. With that in mind we loved: Barbieri and Kempe are “Boutique wines made by Master Sommelier Paolo Barbieri” along with his wife Erin Kempe = bought a case! The second, Bella Cavailli Farms and Vineyard, produces some amazing wines against a backdrop of a working horse ranch, as well as some fun distilled spirits from Dorwood Distillery. Jeff Lockwood is the winemaker and his brother Jay the head distiller. We left there with both wine and spirts to enjoy at home.

A note from Wine on the Porch: During the summer months we enjoyed Hanzell Chardonnay, Saintsbury Chardonnay, Parhelion Cellars Light Pillar Chardonnay, St Supery Virtu Semillon and Sauvignon Blanc blend, Pagter Brothers 2018 Viognier, and from Hoi Polloi I snatched up their 2018 Rose of Grenache and Double-Gold Best-Of-Class 2018 Chardonnay!

A note about spirits: Yea, I wrote a lot about spirits this year too, stay tuned for a roundup of those next!

Eve Bushman has a Level Two Intermediate Certification from the Wine and Spirits Education Trust (WSET), a “certification in first globally-recognized course” as an American Wine Specialist ® from the North American Sommelier Association (NASA), Level 1 Sake Award from WSET, was the subject of a 60-minute Wine Immersion video (over 16k views), authored “Wine Etiquette for Everyone” and has served as a judge for the Long Beach Grand Cru and the Global Wine Awards. You can email Eve@EveWine101.com to ask a question about wine or spirits.

Women in Wine: Dr. Laura Catena, Anne Trimbach, Laure Colombo and Alessia Collauto Travaglini

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Pretty excited to have these women (virtually) in my home – Dr. Laura Catena, Bodegas Catena Zapata & Bodegas CARO (Mendoza, Argentina); Anne Trimbach, Trimbach (Alsace, France); Laure Colombo, Vins Jean-Luc Colombo (Cornas, Rhone Valley, France); and Alessia Collauto Travaglini, Travaglini (Gattinara, Piemonte, Italy)!

Do you recognize some of those last names? You should as they are also names of their family wineries. I had met Alessia and her mother, Cinzia Travaglini, a year ago when they held a wine tasting luncheon at Angelini Osteria. (Read about that here.) The other esteemed ladies, well-educated winery owners and winemakers, I had not met before.

What We Learned

Dr. Catena explained that the wine industry employs about 40% female workers, and when she started zero were employed in actual viticulture, most worked on the business side. Even those, working in the office, had male bosses. In her time she has fought for equal pay for equal work. From her bio I learned more about this remarkable woman: Dr. Laura Catena is a fourth-generation Argentine vintner, physician and author. Catena was born in Mendoza and spent her childhood with her grandfather Domingo at the family’s winery in the small village of La Libertad. Laura graduated magna cum laude from Harvard University in 1988 and has a Medical Doctor degree from Stanford University.

For Travaglini it’s a different story, her family-run winery is all female except for her grandfather. From her bio: Today, she can be found tending the vines at Travaglini or working in the cellar alongside her family. She also takes an active role in the administration, marketing, sales and promotion of Travaglini wines…Alessia holds a degree in Economics and Business Management from the Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore. Although Italian is her native tongue, Alessia also speaks English, Spanish and French.

Colombo shared that her winery has a “sense of place” as her neighbors have cows, make cheese, etc., all contributing to what is typical in her area. A little from her bio we learn: …she interned at Château Haut-Brion while working toward her bachelor’s degree in Viticulture and Oenology in Bordeaux. She then received her master’s degree in Oenology from the University of Montpellier, where she participated in experiments with vinifications in the southern hemisphere. In 2010, Laure was ready to join the family estate where she has been working alongside her parents ever since. In 2014, she created her own Domaine in the Appellation of Saint Péray, Le Domaine de Lorient, with partner Dimitri.

Trimbach said that fifty percent of their productions is Riesling, and her family has been making wine for nearly 50 years, from their own estate grapes and from negotiants. Dr. Catena said that Trimbach is an expert at social media, and had built the Trimbach website. From Trimbach’s bio: She studied economics at Prepa HEC in Strasbourg before spending three years in Dijon, Burgundy to complete her master’s degree. Post-studies, she spent six months in Copenhagen improving her English skills before returning to France for an internship with a beverage distributor. In 2008, Anne moved back to Alsace and began to formally work as a winemaker and Trimbach ambassador.

Wines (my notes are in italics)

Jean Luc Colombo 2018 Saint Peray, “La Belle De Mai”

60% Roussanne, 40% Marsanne White Rhone blend

14.5% alcohol

Laure Colombo, winemaker

This was a beautiful wine. Colombo said it was from a single vineyard, old vines, and that the grapes were harvested and vinified together. Beautiful nose showing fruit, minerality and simply, a bouquet of fresh flowers. It was mouthwatering, with low acidity, that same fresh fruit and balance.

 

2017 Caro Domaines Barons De Rothschild Lafite and Nicolas Catena

74% Malbec and 26% Cabernet Sauvignon

Dr Catena said that Malbec softens Cab, and that she had researched this idea and learned that this is “a historical blending.” Had this wine a few weeks earlier in a Zoom with Caro, and this is an excerpt of my notes: This is a limited production wine, comes from “specific sub divisions of terroir”, and since they don’t make it every year it’s scarce. I found a beautiful nose filled with lots of dark fruit, spice, tobacco and dark chocolate. Drawn in for a taste I got a rich spicy mouthfeel and that same luscious dark fruit.

 

2016 Travaglini Gattinara DOCG

100% Nebbiolo

13.5% alcohol

Massimo Collauto, winemaker

93 points, Wine Advocate

Just as I had recalled from tasting a year ago, this wine does not disappoint. Filled with earth, plum, dried red currant, pipe smoke and chocolate covered cherries all on the nose. The taste, ah, is balanced dry dark fruit – blueberry and blackberry – including stems and brambles.

 

2017 Trimbach Riesling Reserve

91 points by Wine Spectator and James Suckling.

A dry – not sweet – Riesling, with crisp apple, citrus and minerality reminiscent of standing by a cool lake – all on the nose. The taste was all beautifully ripe fruit. I paired this later in the evening with a rich vanilla ice cream with ribbons of lemon puree.

 

Social Media Contacts

Taub Family Selections

Instagram: @taubfamilyselections Facebook: @TaubFamilySelections Twitter: @TFSelections

Trimbach

Instagram: @trimbach, @annetrimbachalsace Facebook: @maisontrimbach Twitter: @trimbach

Jean-Luc Colombo

Instagram: @vinscolombo, @laurecolombo Facebook: @vinsjeanluccolombo Twitter: @vinscolombo

Travaglini

Instagram: @travaglinigattinara, @alessia.c.travaglini Facebook: @www.travaglinigattinara.it

Bodegas Caro

Instagram: @bodegascaro, @lauracatenamd Facebook: @bodegasCARO

Eve Bushman has a Level Two Intermediate Certification from the Wine and Spirits Education Trust (WSET), a “certification in first globally-recognized course” as an American Wine Specialist ® from the North American Sommelier Association (NASA), Level 1 Sake Award from WSET, was the subject of a 60-minute Wine Immersion video (over 16k views), authored “Wine Etiquette for Everyone” and has served as a judge for the Long Beach Grand Cru and the Global Wine Awards. You can email Eve@EveWine101.com to ask a question about wine or spirits.

Fall In Love = Fontanafredda Barolo + Spago Beverly Hills

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So this is what happened: along with other group members of #LaWineWriters I was invited to Spago Beverly Hills “for a tasting and luncheon hosted by esteemed Barolo producer Fontanafredda. Lead winemaker Giorgio Lavagna will take us through a tasting of Fontanafredda’s current Barolo releases, as well as a selection of special library gems going back 20+ years. The culinary team at Spago will design a menu to match the wines…”

Fontanafredda, a name I knew for Barolo, so I was more than happy to taste.

The wine list, priced between $54 and $165 per bottle, started with a taste of the 2012 Alta Langa DOCG Contessa Rosa Rose, made of 80% Pinot Nero, 20% Chardonnay and a little bit of Barolo vintage 1967, making it a remarkable sparkling. We were off to an exciting start.

The rest of the wines were made with Nebbiolo grape, starting with a 2015 Barolo DOCG Del Comune Di Serralunga D’Alba that is credited as “the first single-village Barolo ever produced, since 1988.” Then the 2013 Barolo DOCG Fontanafredda from soil that is known for its “clayey marls alternated with layers of sand.” And the 2011 Barolo DOCG Vigna La Rosa was from “one of the most prestigious vineyards of the estate.”

Then we moved onto some older vintages beginning with a 1996 Barolo DOCG Vigna La Rosa that was my favorite in the tasting, most likely due to how well it aged – indicative of most well-made Barolo. The pricing on this one was not available.

Next up was the 2010 Barolo Riserva made with “a more modern artistic style” that “reflect the values of Fontanafredda, solid and clear since 1858.” Then we had a 2000 Barolo Riserva with a picturesque label that “takes inspiration from the French Expressionism” – and it was my second favorite wine in the tasting. An additional two years of aging is standard for the Riservas.

For photos and further comment on this tasting this is the link to my public social media post.

A note on the menu

Although the menu was whisked away by the servers so I couldn’t save it for posterity, the pairing was lovely and the photos are here. We started with some yummy appetizers that weren’t listed on the menu, one was a smoked salmon on toast and one other I recall was a bacon filled mini popover. Enjoyed these with the sparkling Rose wine. Next up was a creamy mushroom and leek risotto with Pecorino Romano cheese, a choice between a Seared Scottish Salmon and Grilled Cote de Boeuf, and finally the most flavorful Flora Chevre cheese you can imagine. The food paired well with both the new and older vintage Barolo.

About Fontanafredda

The 250-acre Fontanafredda property in Serralunga d’Alba, a cru site of Barolo, is the single largest contiguous wine estate in the Langhe and includes 247 acres of vineyards, 30 acres of native woodland and 10 acres on which the cellars and village buildings lie. Fontanafredda’s vineyards are in the municipalities of Serralunga d’Alba, Diano d’Alba, Barolo, Dogliani, Farigliano, Alba, Rodello, and Murinsengo, at altitudes between 200 – 400m.

The history of Fontanafredda is a noble one. It began in 1858 after the unification of Italy, when the country’s first king, Vittorio Emanuele II, purchased this beautiful estate in Piedmont’s Langhe region. Here he started producing wine from local varieties, Dolcetto, Barbera and Nebbiolo, which later developed into a commercial business under the direction of the King’s son, Count Mirafiori. Fontanafredda released their first Nebbiolo labeled as Barolo with the 1878 vintage. Since 2008, Fontanafredda has been owned by visionary businessman and Piedmont native, Oscar Farinetti (co-owner of Eataly), who has brought new life to one of Italy’s most heralded properties.

https://www.facebook.com/fontanafreddawines/

http://www.fontanafredda.it/site/en/home_en/

 

Eve Bushman has a Level Two Intermediate Certification from the Wine and Spirits Education Trust (WSET), a “certification in first globally-recognized course” as an American Wine Specialist ® from the North American Sommelier Association (NASA), Level 1 Sake Award from WSET, was the subject of a 60-minute Wine Immersion video (over 16k views), authored “Wine Etiquette for Everyone” and has served as a judge for the Long Beach Grand Cru and the Global Wine Awards. You can email Eve@EveWine101.com to ask a question about wine or spirits.

46 new members join the Native Grape Odyssey

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VERONA, ITALY (PRWEB) – The Native Grape Odyssey (NGO) Maestro course in Tokyo which ended on December 6th, 2019, marked the last educational initiative of the Native Grapes Academy (NGA) project for the current year. The course took place over five days, similarly to the previous Canadian (15-19 September) and Russian (28 October – 1 November) editions. After four intense days of lectures and tastings on Italian and Spanish wines and grape varieties, participants took a final exam consisting of theory questions and the tasting of a red and a white wine.
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Upon successful completion of the course, 46 participants obtained the “European Quality Wine Hero” title, with the “hero” appellation symbolizing the role that these trained experts will have to fulfil to represent Italian and Spanish wines among consumers in Japan.

Participants were selected among all applicants for their knowledge of Italian and Spanish grapes and wines. The course served the purpose of providing additional, in-depth knowledge about these two viticultural traditions. Kaitani Ikuko, journalist and author of Italian wine and food publications, commented, “I feel like all the scattered knowledge I had gathered occasionally during my winery visits in Italy, one-day seminars, and through books has now finally come in an orderly manner.” Many participants also commented on the uniqueness of the NGO Maestro Course in the Japan market for its thorough analysis of all regions as well as treatment of wines and grape varieties that are little-known internationally.

The training provided by the NGO course as well as the inclusion of participants in an international community will allow to create official representatives of Italian and Spanish wine in Japan. Roddy Ropner, director of Wellspring Wines and teacher of the NGO Japan course, stated, “I think there is already a high level of knowledge on Italian and Spanish wines in Japan, but the market seems to be stable. Especially for the Italian wines, most of the sales seems to be concentrated on Italian restaurants. What we can try to do is creating more opportunities to sell to private customers and also more opportunities to sell to Japanese restaurants. That’s why we need ambassadors of the Italian and Spanish wine quality.”

Regarding Spanish wines in particular, Ropner added, “I think that one of the troubles with Spanish wines is that there have been a lot of changes in the last 20 years, so the styles have changed quite a lot; you’ve gone from traditional styles to modern styles. So often it’s difficult to know what to expect from wine, and this can create confusion for the consumers. NGO Maestro participants have now acquired the knowledge to demystify it for the public.”

Irving So, instructor at the Academie du Vin and co-teacher of the NGO Maestro Japan, also provided his insights into the perception of Italian and Spanish wines in the Japanese market and the importance of education, “In Japan, usually what is sold is the best-known wines, like Brunello or Nebbiolo. However, there are so many wines of high quality that are still not known in this country. We need experts that know the grapes well and can be ambassadors of Italian and Spanish wines.
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”

Another important learning moment of the NGO week was the Walk-Around Tasting, which took place on Friday December 6th. Whereas during the course students tasted one major example of a wine coming from a specific denomination, in the Walk-Around Tasting additional wines from the same denomination were made available, thus allowing students to fully understand the diversity of styles and wine-making techniques. Moreover, this event gathered more than 100 wine experts and trade professionals working in Tokyo and furnished them with the opportunity to network and meet local importers. Wines for the tasting were provided by leading food and beverage import companies in Japan along with wine trade associations.

The Tokyo event marked the end of the NGO initiatives for 2019, yet for 2020 the project will increase its activities scheduling wine seminars and Walk-Around Tastings in 5 different cities for each target country (Canada, Japan, and Russia) for a grand total of 15 high-level training and tasting events. In 2020, moreover, the NGO Web App piloted in 2019, will be further expanded. The App allows users to create and share tasting notes and stay in touch with the community of course participants. Additional information on NGO activities can be found on the official website nativegrapeodyssey.com and by following the project’s social media channels.

About: Native Grape Odyssey (NGO) is a brand of the Native Grapes Academy (NGA) project. NGA is a project financed by the European Union and managed by Unione Italiana Vini and Interprofesional del Vino de España (OIVE) for the promotion of PDO and PGI European wines abroad, in particular in three countries: Japan, Canada and Russia. In order to achieve this, the NGA educational program will organize wine seminars, workshops and b2b meetings both in these countries and in Verona, Italy, inviting wine experts and influencers from these countries. These events realized across the span of three years (2019-21) aim to create awareness about European native grapes abroad, as well as the wines produced from them, in particular Italian and Spanish wines, which share a long tradition and a high standard of quality.

Travaglini Gattinara – Nebbiolo in Northern Piedmont – at Angelini Osteria

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Recently at Angelini Osteria a group of wine writers were invited to an intimate wine tasting and luncheon hosted by Cinzia Travaglini, owner of Travaglini Winery, and her daughter Alessia Collauto Travaglini. Cinzia and Alessia belong to the third and fourth generation of the Travaglini family – a renowned producer of traditional, limited production wines made in the tiny appellation of Gattinara in northern Italy’s esteemed Piedmont region. 

Cinzia and Alessia will share their full U.S. range alongside a carefully designed menu, including current releases of Gattinara and Gattinara Riserva, as well as, Tre Vigne – a blend of Nebbiolo grapes from three historic vineyard sites made only in the best vintages, and Il Sogno – a unique appassimento wine, together with a few special, older vintages.

Wine and Tasting

So excited to taste the portfolio of “one of Italy’s most recognizable wines and the #1 selling Gattinara in the world.” The first thing that struck me, besides meeting the amazing mother-daughter team and before my first taste of anything was the shape of the bottles. Misshapen, like a Chateauneuf Du Pape, but with a slightly rounded front, flat back and sides, except for one notch that holds the thumb perfectly for pouring. We later learned that they designed the bottle in 1958 with the idea of both a decanter shape and one that catches sediment. No other winery has adopted their design.

Cinzia talked about the volcanic soil in the Gattinara area, its proximity to the Alps, “more fresh” weather and how each of these elements contributes to the elegance in the wine. She said it was easy to drink with all foods – which we would soon learn for ourselves.

Alessia explained that her grandfather planted vineyards in the 1920s, with a focus on quality over quantity. They produce 20 thousand cases per year.

 

Nebole 2013 – aromas and flavors separated by ;

We were greeted with a taste of their sparkling wine that was made from 100% Nebbiolo – as were all of the wines we were to taste – that had been vinified into a white wine. Lemon zest, talcum powder, white flower; bruised yellow apple, sawdust, lively with medium acid.

Nebbiolo Coste Della Sesia DOC 2017

Aged four months in stainless steel followed by 10 months in Slovenian oak. Can be drunk after 2 years or 40. Rose petal, stewed tomatoes, dry earth; dry red fruit, tannic, oak and a long finish.

 

Gattinara DOCG 2015

After stainless steel fermentation the wine underwent two years on Slovenian oak casks of different sizes. Earth, spice, dried red cherries, tree bark, barnyard; small red berries, dry, tobacco.

 

Gattinara Tre Vigne DOCG 2013

Three vineyard blend, aged four years in Slovenian oak after initial time in stainless. However, for that last fourth year, 20% is aged in barrique. The wine is later blended together and then rests for an additional 10 months in bottle. Earth, grilled mushroom, incense, crushed red fruit; got that same red fruit and mushroom on the palate, gritty, dry with a long finish.

 

Gattinara Riserva DOCG 2013

35-60 year old estate vines, aged three years in different sized barrels of Slovenian oak, then rests in bottle for an additional year. Floral, aromatic, milk chocolate; spice, red fruit and bright.

 

Gattinara Riserva DOCG 2009

These last three wines may have been my favorites of the tasting. This one, a 2009 and the 2006 that follows, definitely surprised me and I commented to Cinzia how remarkably different the aromas and flavors were between the older wines and their younger siblings. I also learned from Cinzia – after I mentioned this – that these two were “considered great vintages.” 35-60 YO vines, three years in Slovenian oak and one year in bottle. Plum, bark, dark chocolate, brown sugar; layered dark fruit, tobacco, dusty and lingering.

 

Gattinara Tre Vigne DOCG 2006

The second “great vintage” wine came from three different estate vineyards, four years in Slovenian oak, 20% held back in barrique for the final year, then blended back in with the rest of the wine and rests in bottle for 10 months. Blueberry, blackberry, perfumy, toasted wood; plums, slightly sweet with a beautiful balance of dusty fruits and tannins.

 

Il Sogno 2014

100 days of drying out leaving only 50% of the water in the grapes, 40 months in Slovenian oak, in bottle for 10 months rest. The highest % of alcohol in the line-up with 15.5. Fleshy red fruit, stems, earth, mint; slightly sweet, chocolate covered black cherry, easy to drink with lots of lovely berries and tannin.

 

The Menu

There was no specific pairing for the foods and the wine. We had three wines per course, per se, to try. I found that the younger lighter wines were perfect with the tomato and cheese course and the Branzino, while the older reds were outstanding with the lasagna and steak. I had to agree with Cinzia, the wines paired well with all types of foods. This is the full menu:

 

FIRST COURSE

Insalata Caprese, Market Tomatoes, Fresh Burrata, Aged Balsamic, Basil. (Healthy portion of cheese and we all inhaled this dish.)

 

SECOND COURSE

Pasta Duo: Bombolotti all Norma, Eggplant, Tomato, Basil, Dried Ricotta.

Lasagna Verde “Omaggio Nonna Elvira”, Beef and Veal Ragu.

(This was truly to die for. As I’m writing this I’ve just finished the leftovers they packed up for me. I will never want plain lasagna again.)

 

THIRD COURSE

Choice of: Grilled Branzino Filet, Chopped Tomatoes, Sautéed Mixed Vegetables.

Grilled Organic Chicken, Roasted Potatoes, Spinach.

Grilled Hanger Steak, Arugula, Shaved Parmigiano Reggiano.

(I shared the fish and steak with a couple of other people but missed out on the chicken. The fish was so delicate and so wonderful with the younger reds as I stated earlier, and the steak was delectable with the older reds. I linger over this in my mind now…)

 

PER FINIRE

Selection of Cheeses.

Housemade Biscotti.

(I had to skedaddle on the road so I missed this finale. I saw photos and heard from other writers in attendance that both the cheeses and the desserts were incredible.)

Photos of the food and wine here.

About Travaglini

Driven by a passion for exceptional Nebbiolo, the Travaglini family has been producing remarkable, limited- production wines in Gattinara for four generations. The Travaglini family has owned land in Gattinara since the beginning of the 19th century. The family’s winemaking tradition started with Clemente Travaglini, who was succeeded by his son Arturo, however, it was not until 1958 when Arturo’s son, Giancarlo, took the helm that the Travaglini Estate Winery was established as it exists today.

Today, the Travaglini family owns 146 acres of vineyards, 128 of which are dedicated to vines, primarily Nebbiolo, covering roughly 50% of total vineyards within the Gattinara DOCG. This small appellation lies in the rocky foothills of the Monte Rosa range, where ventilating winds blow down from the nearby Alps. Soils are rocky and rich in porphyry, granite and iron. Similar in composition to the Alps, Monte Rosa’s sedimentary rock is highly acidic, due to low levels of calcium carbonate and magnesium, and an absence of calcium. Vines grown in this rare soil produce grapes with a unique flavor profile, high acidity and firm tannins. The finished wines offer refreshing acidity, soft tannins, minerality and complexity.

https://www.travaglinigattinara.it/en/winery/

About Angelini Osteria

Gino Angelini has become known as simply everyone’s favorite Italian chef in Los Angeles, winning over the city with his authentic dishes.   The Angelini brand has evolved into three divisions: dining, catering and products.

In 2001, Gino Angelini and his wife Elizabeth opened Angelini Osteria, an Italian restaurant in Los Angeles. Since opening, Angelini Osteria has become one of LA’s most celebrated restaurants. The Osteria has blazed the trail for many Italian dishes in Los Angeles, including its famous Linguine Sea Urchin and the sought after Spaghetti Norcina. To this day the Osteria remains family owned and controlled.

The Angelini’s partnered with 17-year veteran employee, Girolamo Rindone, to open a classic Italian bar, Angelini Alimentari. Angelini Alimentari is a gourmet fast-casual dining concept featuring light California-Italian inspired breakfast, lunch and dinner fare with an focus on pickup and delivery.

https://www.angelinirestaurantgroup.com/angelini-osteria

Eve Bushman has a Level Two Intermediate Certification from the Wine and Spirits Education Trust (WSET), a “certification in first globally-recognized course” as an American Wine Specialist ® from the North American Sommelier Association (NASA), Level 1 Sake Award from WSET, was the subject of a 60-minute Wine Immersion video (over 16k views), authored “Wine Etiquette for Everyone” and has served as a judge for the Long Beach Grand Cru and the Global Wine Awards. You can email Eve@EveWine101.com to ask a question about wine or spirits.

Learning About and Tasting 2015 Barolo, Plus the WhyNot Wine Saver

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As a member of the North American Sommelier Association (NASA), having taken a few classes and a certification (see footer), we are often offered instruction that include unique tasting experiences and lectures. In this class, my first and long overdue one on Barolo wines, we would be treated to a lecture from the president of NASA, Diego Meraviglia. We were also treated to a showcase of a new wine preservation system called WhyNot.

My own history tasting Barolo wasn’t too good. Ed invested in a few and at each tasting, as they aged 10 years or so, I wasn’t happy with the dark tannins and fruit. I knew the wine needed more time in our cellar – many at or past the 20-year mark – but wanted to understand more about the grape, so that my appreciation might help me at the next tasting. I pulled about six bottles from our cellar after this course, see my social media if you want to know which, and further down the road, how the tastings went. For now, let’s get started on what we learned.

From NASA:

A grape, Nebbiolo, that “feeds on fog”…a land, the Langhe, that is protected by the United Nations as a UNESCO world heritage site…a wine, BAROLO DOCG, that has a centuries old reputation for being “the king of wines & the wine of kings”…and a vintage, 2015, that is hailed as one of the best in the past decades. 

According to James Suckling: “Two-thirds of the 350+ Barolo 2015s we tasted in this list scored 93 points or above, establishing this vintage as one of the best of the decade. You’ll find the tasting notes for 2015 Barolo awash with superlatives. It’s a great year, clearly the best since 2010, perhaps better. Buy some and see for yourself.” 

BAROLO is not only known for its complexity, elegance and structure…but also for its world renowned reputation for cellaring potential. It is consistently one of the wines that holds its own on an open bottle for days and days, some would say, improving every 24 hours.

Before the class began the representatives from WhyNot Wine Saver did a short presentation. We learned that the unit’s use of nitrogen gas promises to keep a bottle of wine fresh for eleven months, important for a restaurant, wine bar or winery that serves pours and by the glass. The cork is removed with a special closed “changer” and a plug, in a “nitrogen-filled environment” is inserted. The bottle can then be put upside down into the WhyNot unit; the desired amount is dispensed in the glass through a “shooter” that keeps nitrogen from wine glass.

Barolo Lesson

There was a lot to learn about Barolo. I have some photos here; if you want a closer look at each slide for a clearer lesson email me:

  • Made from the Nebbiolo grape in Piemonte, aka Piedmont, Italy.
  • “Nebbia” means fog and was given the root of the word Nebbiolo as it’s a late ripener and harvested in autumn, sometimes as late as October.
  • Known to be difficult and stubborn to cultivate, medium-thick skinned, high in tannins and acidity so they have a long aging capability/need.
  • It is known as the most ancient varietal in all of Italy, first documented in 1266.
  • 93% of the vineyards are on hillsides, 70% red and 30% white.
  • The center of the appellation is the town of Barolo.
  • Barolo is considered the “big brother” to Barbaresco.
  • The flavor of the wine depends on many things, including the terrain: Elveziano (Helvetian) wines are more robust, structured, high in tannins and longevity. The Tortoniano (Tortonian) produces a lighter, more elegant, fast maturation and less longevity. A true Barolo lover would know from which areas they prefer the flavor profile from, and purchase accordingly.

On the 2015s: We tasted a few of the new wines, opened up for at least an hour. I could tell the difference in aromas and flavors between the different terrains, and did appreciate both. Diego explained that the 2015s were going to be amazing in ten years as opposed to waiting 30-40 years. The weather in 2015 created less stress factors, fewer grapes, shorter vintage and less volume. This all contributed to giving the wines “great concentration, flavor and power.” Tannins and unripe flavors have been a common complaint of previous years, not for the 2015s. Diego also believes prices will stay low on the 2015s.

Eve Bushman has a Level Two Intermediate Certification from the Wine and Spirits Education Trust (WSET), a “certification in first globally-recognized course” as an American Wine Specialist ® from the North American Sommelier Association (NASA), Level 1 Sake Award from WSET, was the subject of a 60-minute Wine Immersion video (over 16k views), authored “Wine Etiquette for Everyone” and has served as a judge for the Long Beach Grand Cru and the Global Wine Awards. You can email Eve@EveWine101.com to ask a question about wine or spirits.