Piedmont Reds
Piedmont has 3 main red grapes: Barbera, Dolcetto, and Nebbiolo. Nebbiolo in its highest form comes from two sister towns of Barolo and Barbaresco. Barbaresco is often more “feminine” with softer tannins and more fruit in the palate (and often a bit cheaper). Barbera is a fantastic very day wine, dark and fruity with that Italian spiciness. Dolcetto is usually blended, but can offer stunning light and racy wines. So lets try them all! A Dolcetto, a Barbera, a Blend, and a Barbaresco Nebbiolo!
@ Humble Vine
Wednesday, July 22nd
HOURS: 2PM - 8 PM
Wine Tasting: $25
Giocosa Fratelli, Dolcetto D’Alba Piedmont, Italy $21
Dolcetto is one of Piedmont’s classic local grapes. The grape is thin skinned and gives a softer, earlier-drinking style, with bright fruit and easy charm. Fresh blackberry, plum, violet, and a light almond note on the finish. It’s made from 100% Dolcetto, with a short time on skins, then aged in stainless steel to keep the fruit lively and straightforward.
Alverdi, Barbera Piedmont, Italy $16
Barbera is a workhorse. It is the wine the locals drink most often. Nebbiolo is usually reserved for special occasions. A simple, honest Piedmont red in the best sense. Deep purple in the glass, with juicy fruit, and naturally bright acidity. Black cherry, plum, and a little spice, with enough freshness to keep it moving beautifully through the finish. Handled in stainless steel leaving a fresh, supple, and easy to enjoy wine.
La Vedetta, “Swanti” Langhe Rosso Piedmont, Italy $28
La Vedetta is located in the town of Barbaresco, nestled in the rolling hills and recognized as a World Heritage Site. The fruit is all estate grown on a tiny parcel. Aromas of fresh red cherry, raspberry, and hints of blackberry. Signature violet and rose petal notes that define the Nebbiolo grape, with subtle earthy or mineral undertones. 50% Nebbiolo and 50% Barbera. This wine is aged entirely in stainless steel, preserving the floral and primary fruit character and avoids the influence of new oak.
Masolino, Barbaresco Piedmont, Italy $55
Masolino Barbaresco comes from a family estate founded in 1896, and the house is deeply tied to the serious, site-driven tradition of Piedmont winemaking, especially in the Serralunga and Barbaresco worlds. Barbaresco is always Nebbiolo. Graceful and perfumed with rose petal, cherry, red currant, spice, and earthy complexity, with firm structure but a little more lift and finesse than Barolo. Fermented in oak vats and aged in large Slavonian oak casks for 18 months, which keeps the wood influence subtle and lets the grape and site stay front and center.
