Wineries in Roero | Donna in Piedmont
Cascina Cà Rossa
Località Cascina Cà Rossa 56
Canale (CN)
Tel 0173 983 48
http://www.langhe.net/cascinacarossa/
Azienda Agricola Cornarea
Via Valentino 105
Canale (CN)
http://www.cornarea.com/
Cornarea Roero DOC 2004
Almandine with black reflections and garnet rim. The bouquet is moderately rich, with smoky red berry fruit supported by some green leather and slight eucalyptus-laced vegetal accents. On the palate it's medium bodied, with fairly rich cherry fruit supported by clean sour acidity and tannins that have a slight youthful burr, and flow into a clean berry fruit finish with bitter accents. It's quite young, but pleasant in a slightly traditional key, and will drink well with succulent red meats or hearty stews.
2 stars
Matteo Correggia
Via Case Sparse Garbinetto 124
Canale
http://www.matteocorreggia.com/
Malabaila
Piazza Castello 1
Canale
http://www.malabaila.com/
Malvirà Azienda Agricola dei F.lli Damonte
Case Sparse Canova 144
Canale
http://www.malvira.com/
Monchiero Carbone
Via S. Stefano Roero 2
Canale
http://www.monchierocarbone.com
Pace Di Negro
Pietro E Bernardino
Fraz. Madonna di Loreto
Cascina Pace 52
12043 Canale
Tel 017 3979544
Massucco F.lli
Via Serra 15
Castagnito
http://www.cosebuonedicampagna.it/
Cascina Chicco
Via Valentino, 144
12043 Canale
http://www.cascinachicco.com/
Azienda Agricola Marsaglia
Via Mussone, 2
Castellinaldo 12050
http://www.cantinamarsaglia.it/
Stefanino Morra
Via Castagnito, 50
12050 Castellinaldo
Tel 0173 213489
Bel Colle
Frazione Castagni 56
Verduno
http://www.belcolle.it
Maurizio Ponchione
Via R. Sacco 9/A
Govone
Tel 0173 58149
Renato Buganza
Cascina Garbianotto 4
Piobesi D'Alba
http://www.renatobuganza.it/
Giovanni Almondo
Via San Rocco 26
Montà
http://www.giovannialmondo.com/
Michele Taliano
C.so Manzoni 24
12046 Montà d'Alba
Tel. 0173 976512
Gian Paolo Viglione
Borgata Tucci, 4 3
12064 Montà
Tel. 0173 976142
Negro e Figli
Frazione Sant'Anna
Monteu Roero
http://www.negroangelo.it/
Cascina Val Del Prete di Roagna Mario
Via Santuario, 2
12040 Priocca
Tel. 0173 616534
Deltetto Azienda Agricola
Corso Alba 43
Canale
http://www.deltetto.com
Cantina del Nebbiolo
Via Torino 17
Vezza D'Alba
Tel 0173 65040
http://www.cantinadelnebbiolo.com
Giacomo Vico
Via Torino 80
Canale
Tel 0173 979 126
http://www.giacomovico.it
Località Cascina Cà Rossa 56
Canale (CN)
Tel 0173 983 48
http://www.langhe.net/cascinacarossa/
Azienda Agricola Cornarea
Via Valentino 105
Canale (CN)
http://www.cornarea.com/
Cornarea Roero DOC 2004
Almandine with black reflections and garnet rim. The bouquet is moderately rich, with smoky red berry fruit supported by some green leather and slight eucalyptus-laced vegetal accents. On the palate it's medium bodied, with fairly rich cherry fruit supported by clean sour acidity and tannins that have a slight youthful burr, and flow into a clean berry fruit finish with bitter accents. It's quite young, but pleasant in a slightly traditional key, and will drink well with succulent red meats or hearty stews.
2 stars
Matteo Correggia
Via Case Sparse Garbinetto 124
Canale
http://www.matteocorreggia.com/
Malabaila
Piazza Castello 1
Canale
http://www.malabaila.com/
Malvirà Azienda Agricola dei F.lli Damonte
Case Sparse Canova 144
Canale
http://www.malvira.com/
Monchiero Carbone
Via S. Stefano Roero 2
Canale
http://www.monchierocarbone.com
Pace Di Negro
Pietro E Bernardino
Fraz. Madonna di Loreto
Cascina Pace 52
12043 Canale
Tel 017 3979544
Massucco F.lli
Via Serra 15
Castagnito
http://www.cosebuonedicampagna.it/
Cascina Chicco
Via Valentino, 144
12043 Canale
http://www.cascinachicco.com/
Azienda Agricola Marsaglia
Via Mussone, 2
Castellinaldo 12050
http://www.cantinamarsaglia.it/
Stefanino Morra
Via Castagnito, 50
12050 Castellinaldo
Tel 0173 213489
Bel Colle
Frazione Castagni 56
Verduno
http://www.belcolle.it
Maurizio Ponchione
Via R. Sacco 9/A
Govone
Tel 0173 58149
Renato Buganza
Cascina Garbianotto 4
Piobesi D'Alba
http://www.renatobuganza.it/
Giovanni Almondo
Via San Rocco 26
Montà
http://www.giovannialmondo.com/
Michele Taliano
C.so Manzoni 24
12046 Montà d'Alba
Tel. 0173 976512
Gian Paolo Viglione
Borgata Tucci, 4 3
12064 Montà
Tel. 0173 976142
Negro e Figli
Frazione Sant'Anna
Monteu Roero
http://www.negroangelo.it/
Cascina Val Del Prete di Roagna Mario
Via Santuario, 2
12040 Priocca
Tel. 0173 616534
Deltetto Azienda Agricola
Corso Alba 43
Canale
http://www.deltetto.com
Cantina del Nebbiolo
Via Torino 17
Vezza D'Alba
Tel 0173 65040
http://www.cantinadelnebbiolo.com
Giacomo Vico
Via Torino 80
Canale
Tel 0173 979 126
http://www.giacomovico.it
2008 Alba Wine Exhibition | Donna in Piedmont
Over 300 Piemontese wines over the course of five days, primarily those made with the grape Nebbiolo, like Barolo and Barbaresco, but also Barbera, Dolcetto, Moscato and Nebbiolo Langhe. It was an incredible sensory overload. This was my first ever serious horizontal tasting so I thought I would share some observations from a novices point of view.
It is called the Alba Wine Exhibition and is being put on the group called the Unione Produttori Vini Albesi. It is an invitation only gathering for a bunch of wine journalists and smaller group of the wine shop owners/buyers who specialize in the wines from this region to Alba for a five day intensive tasting of the newest vintage of Barolo (2004) and Barbaresco (2005) which are made with 100% Nebbiolo grapes.
Since I write more about food than wine, they allowed me to taste with the owners of the wine shops instead of the wine journalists, which means I can know the name and location of the winery while I am tasting them. The wine journalists are tasting blind, they only see a series of bottles with numbers on them.
The tasting is held at the wine school in Alba (School of Enological Studies). The room is light and airy, there are about 15 tables set up around the periphery of the room with a long table with wine bottles down the middle. Each wine has a number that corresponds to a list we receive each day. There are two professional sommeliers who take care of pouring the wines.
Not wanting to look like an idiot, I did a little research ahead of time:
Characteristics of the grape Nebbiolo - Fruit like cherry and other berry fruits, often with hints of pepper and herbs like rosemary, thyme and anice. Acidity which allows the wine to be a good food wine and tannins give the wine structure and allow the flavors of the wine to evolve as it ages. Often the smell, or nose of the wine will be reminiscent of light floral on one end of the scale, and tar or tobacco on the other.
Zone where the grape is grown - The primary focus of the tasting is on Barolo & Barbaresco, but it will also include Roero.
Characteristics of the vintage - 2005 for Barbaresco and 2004 for Barolo. 2004 was a hands down blissful year for the region. 2005 wasn't as perfect as 2004 (or 2001/1999/1996), but is was still pretty damn good.
I was all set to analyze the color/acidity/tanins/fruit/structure of each glass, but I will tell you, after the first 15 glasses I was holding on by my fingernails. All of my senses overwhelmed and I was way behind everyone else in the room. I still had another 45 wines to taste. After watching my co-tasters I noticed everyone generally followed the same process:
SWIRL
SNIFF
SWIRLL
TASTE
SPIT
MAKE NOTES
(repeat several times)
DUMP
Repeat 65 times
3 hours - 65 wines - 5 wines at a time
After my rough start I got into a groove and caught up with the group and thankfully didn't drool on myself once.
Aside from the 249 Barbaresco and Barolos, we will also be tasting Dolcetto, Barbera, Nebbiolo (d'Alba and Langhe), Arneis and Moscato.
Check back for comments on the Day 1 tasting - Barbaresco and Roero - 2005
Copyright 2008 Donna Macdonald
It is called the Alba Wine Exhibition and is being put on the group called the Unione Produttori Vini Albesi. It is an invitation only gathering for a bunch of wine journalists and smaller group of the wine shop owners/buyers who specialize in the wines from this region to Alba for a five day intensive tasting of the newest vintage of Barolo (2004) and Barbaresco (2005) which are made with 100% Nebbiolo grapes.
Since I write more about food than wine, they allowed me to taste with the owners of the wine shops instead of the wine journalists, which means I can know the name and location of the winery while I am tasting them. The wine journalists are tasting blind, they only see a series of bottles with numbers on them.
The tasting is held at the wine school in Alba (School of Enological Studies). The room is light and airy, there are about 15 tables set up around the periphery of the room with a long table with wine bottles down the middle. Each wine has a number that corresponds to a list we receive each day. There are two professional sommeliers who take care of pouring the wines.
Not wanting to look like an idiot, I did a little research ahead of time:
Characteristics of the grape Nebbiolo - Fruit like cherry and other berry fruits, often with hints of pepper and herbs like rosemary, thyme and anice. Acidity which allows the wine to be a good food wine and tannins give the wine structure and allow the flavors of the wine to evolve as it ages. Often the smell, or nose of the wine will be reminiscent of light floral on one end of the scale, and tar or tobacco on the other.
Zone where the grape is grown - The primary focus of the tasting is on Barolo & Barbaresco, but it will also include Roero.
Characteristics of the vintage - 2005 for Barbaresco and 2004 for Barolo. 2004 was a hands down blissful year for the region. 2005 wasn't as perfect as 2004 (or 2001/1999/1996), but is was still pretty damn good.
I was all set to analyze the color/acidity/tanins/fruit/structure of each glass, but I will tell you, after the first 15 glasses I was holding on by my fingernails. All of my senses overwhelmed and I was way behind everyone else in the room. I still had another 45 wines to taste. After watching my co-tasters I noticed everyone generally followed the same process:
SWIRL
SNIFF
SWIRLL
TASTE
SPIT
MAKE NOTES
(repeat several times)
DUMP
Repeat 65 times
3 hours - 65 wines - 5 wines at a time
After my rough start I got into a groove and caught up with the group and thankfully didn't drool on myself once.
Aside from the 249 Barbaresco and Barolos, we will also be tasting Dolcetto, Barbera, Nebbiolo (d'Alba and Langhe), Arneis and Moscato.
Check back for comments on the Day 1 tasting - Barbaresco and Roero - 2005
Copyright 2008 Donna Macdonald
Piedmont in Portland | Donna in Piedmont
Three of my favorite wineries are going to be showcasing their wines in my old home town of Portland Oregon on January 27 from 3:00 - 5:00 at Pastaworks on Hawthorne.
Produttori del Barbaresco, Renato Ratti and Cantina del Pino are about as good as it gets for tasting wines that are representative of this region.
These guys are all very popular in Portland so be prepared for a crowd.
Produttori del Barbaresco, Renato Ratti and Cantina del Pino are about as good as it gets for tasting wines that are representative of this region.
These guys are all very popular in Portland so be prepared for a crowd.
My favorite Dio | Donna in Piedmont
The origins of wine.
Where to begin?
To be fair we should thank the Greek god Dionysus (or Bacchas as he was later called) who was the son of Zeus. Greek mythology tells us that Dionysus taught humans how to cultivate grapevines and then press and make wine. This wasn't a big stretch since he was also the patron of agriculture generally and fertility in nature specifically.
All in all good things.
It should be noted that Dionysus/Bacchas had plenty of followers in his day. The women who came under his influence left their homes to live nomadic lives drinking and dancing and wearing lots of fur. They were called bacchantes (that could be the name of a band for sure), or maenads. They were also known to hang out with satyrs and centaurs, which certainly didn't help their reputations one bit.
If the Greeks get credit for the creation of wine, the Romans get credit for distribution. As they expanded their empire, they made sure there would be wine to drink along the way. Romans understood the various characteristics and soil preferences of different vines and through trial and error planting along the way and the old world of wine was born.
While the Romans were fond of wine and festivals, they were not happy when the celebrations called bacchanalia got exported to Italy about 200 b.c.. Bacchanalia were notorious festivals that were held in secret and attended only by women. The Roman government soon outlawed the gatherings claiming political conspiracies and crimes were taking place. The government left a provision that bacchanalia could go on, but only if they were told about it ahead of time. My guess is they just wanted to be able to crash the party.
While the first stomp of the footprint of the Roman Empire is how grape vines were distributed, the second wave of cultivation and dissemination can be attributed to monasteries throughout Europe. Wine was not only produced for personal use it was also a means for income and arguably a way to keep control of their flocks.
If reincarnation does exist, I would like to think I was card carrying bacchante.
Where to begin?
To be fair we should thank the Greek god Dionysus (or Bacchas as he was later called) who was the son of Zeus. Greek mythology tells us that Dionysus taught humans how to cultivate grapevines and then press and make wine. This wasn't a big stretch since he was also the patron of agriculture generally and fertility in nature specifically.
All in all good things.
It should be noted that Dionysus/Bacchas had plenty of followers in his day. The women who came under his influence left their homes to live nomadic lives drinking and dancing and wearing lots of fur. They were called bacchantes (that could be the name of a band for sure), or maenads. They were also known to hang out with satyrs and centaurs, which certainly didn't help their reputations one bit.
If the Greeks get credit for the creation of wine, the Romans get credit for distribution. As they expanded their empire, they made sure there would be wine to drink along the way. Romans understood the various characteristics and soil preferences of different vines and through trial and error planting along the way and the old world of wine was born.
While the Romans were fond of wine and festivals, they were not happy when the celebrations called bacchanalia got exported to Italy about 200 b.c.. Bacchanalia were notorious festivals that were held in secret and attended only by women. The Roman government soon outlawed the gatherings claiming political conspiracies and crimes were taking place. The government left a provision that bacchanalia could go on, but only if they were told about it ahead of time. My guess is they just wanted to be able to crash the party.
While the first stomp of the footprint of the Roman Empire is how grape vines were distributed, the second wave of cultivation and dissemination can be attributed to monasteries throughout Europe. Wine was not only produced for personal use it was also a means for income and arguably a way to keep control of their flocks.
If reincarnation does exist, I would like to think I was card carrying bacchante.
Vendemmia 2007 has begun! | Donna in Piedmont
Every year the harvest season in Piemonte begins in late August when most of Italy is still on vacation. People in the Langhe, Roero and Monferrato hills start planning their harvest first with Moscato grapes followed closely by Arneis and other white wines while families in the Alta Langa begin harvesting and drying hazelnuts and chestnuts. But the major harvest revolves around Nebbiolo. This is the grape that makes both Barbaresco and Barolo wines.
The Italian word for the harvest associated with wine grapes is Vendemmia (it's racolta for most other things). The first sign the vendemmia is about to begin is when tractors start clogging the roads on their way to the vineyards and baskets begin to line the vineyard rows.
The Italian word for the harvest associated with wine grapes is Vendemmia (it's racolta for most other things). The first sign the vendemmia is about to begin is when tractors start clogging the roads on their way to the vineyards and baskets begin to line the vineyard rows.
Barbaresco a Tavola | Donna in Piedmont
Just in case you are looking for an excuse to head this way in May.
Barbaresco a Tavola
I first attended Barbaresco a Tavola it gave me a whole new outlook on wine events. It is a unique experience to sit in a room filled with locals, many of whom are wine growers or wine makers who can clearly remember every moment of the harvest. The restaurants all put on a fixed menu and there are about 25 wines to taste, all from the same vintage.
It is the best wine event I have ever attended. Easy, laid back, fun and delicious.
If you want to make reservations, they can help you at the Enoteca (they speak English):
http://www.enotecadelbarbaresco.it
Wines of the Piedmont | Donna in Piedmont
There are 10 D.O.C.G. wines in the Piedmont and about 40 with D.O.C. designation.
D.O.C. - Denominazione di Origine Controllata - Means that the wine is made from grapes grown in a recognized and unique wine growing zone.
D.O.C.G. - Denominazione di Origine Controllata e Garantita - The "G" means that the quantity of wine production is controlled. Ever notice those pink labels wrapped around the neck of a bottle, they hand those out to wineries based on the acreage (hectars) of grapes grown.
The best source of information on the local wines for a particular area is the Enoteca Regionale of the region where you are going. Remember the D.O.C/D.O.C.G. name does not necessarily tell you the name of the grape, but the name of where the wine was grown. Think Barbaresco and Barolo... both are made with 100% Nebbiolo grapes but because they are grown in different areas (only 12 km apart), the wine that is produced from each region is truly unique enough to have its own name.
D.O.C.G.
Asti,Barbaresco,Barolo,Brachetto d'Acqui,Gattinara,Gavi,Ghemme,Moscato d’ Asti, Roero, Roero Arneis
D.O.C.
Barbera (d'Alba, d'Asti & del Monferrato, Piemonte)
Dolcetto (Langhe, d'Acqui, d'Alba, d'Asti, di Ovada, di Diano d'Alba, di Dogliani, Dolcetto delle Langhe Monregalesi)
Grignolino (d'Asti, del Monferrato, Piemonte)
Nebbiolo (Langhe, d'Alba,
Albugnano, Alta Langa, Boca, Bonarda, Brachetto, Bramaterra, Carema, Cisterna d'Asti, Collina Torinese, Colli Tortonesi, Colline Saluzzes, Cortese dell'Alto Monferrat, , Erbaluce di Caluso o Caluso, Fara, Freisa d'Asti, Freisa di Chieri, Gabiano, Grignolino d'Asti, Casalese, Langhe Rosso, Langhe Chardonnay, Langhe Favorita, Langhe Bianco, Langhe Freisa, Lessona, Loazzolo, Malvasia di Casorzo d'Asti, Malvasia di Castelnuovo Don Bosco, Pelaverga, Piemonte Cortese, Pinerolese, Rubino di Cantavenna, Ruchè di Castagnole Monferrato, Sizzano, Valsusa, Verduno
D.O.C. - Denominazione di Origine Controllata - Means that the wine is made from grapes grown in a recognized and unique wine growing zone.
D.O.C.G. - Denominazione di Origine Controllata e Garantita - The "G" means that the quantity of wine production is controlled. Ever notice those pink labels wrapped around the neck of a bottle, they hand those out to wineries based on the acreage (hectars) of grapes grown.
The best source of information on the local wines for a particular area is the Enoteca Regionale of the region where you are going. Remember the D.O.C/D.O.C.G. name does not necessarily tell you the name of the grape, but the name of where the wine was grown. Think Barbaresco and Barolo... both are made with 100% Nebbiolo grapes but because they are grown in different areas (only 12 km apart), the wine that is produced from each region is truly unique enough to have its own name.
D.O.C.G.
Asti,Barbaresco,Barolo,Brachetto d'Acqui,Gattinara,Gavi,Ghemme,Moscato d’ Asti, Roero, Roero Arneis
D.O.C.
Barbera (d'Alba, d'Asti & del Monferrato, Piemonte)
Dolcetto (Langhe, d'Acqui, d'Alba, d'Asti, di Ovada, di Diano d'Alba, di Dogliani, Dolcetto delle Langhe Monregalesi)
Grignolino (d'Asti, del Monferrato, Piemonte)
Nebbiolo (Langhe, d'Alba,
Albugnano, Alta Langa, Boca, Bonarda, Brachetto, Bramaterra, Carema, Cisterna d'Asti, Collina Torinese, Colli Tortonesi, Colline Saluzzes, Cortese dell'Alto Monferrat, , Erbaluce di Caluso o Caluso, Fara, Freisa d'Asti, Freisa di Chieri, Gabiano, Grignolino d'Asti, Casalese, Langhe Rosso, Langhe Chardonnay, Langhe Favorita, Langhe Bianco, Langhe Freisa, Lessona, Loazzolo, Malvasia di Casorzo d'Asti, Malvasia di Castelnuovo Don Bosco, Pelaverga, Piemonte Cortese, Pinerolese, Rubino di Cantavenna, Ruchè di Castagnole Monferrato, Sizzano, Valsusa, Verduno