Damilano Barolo Riserva Cannubi “1752”, the essence of a single vineyard wine, aged seven years

Tasting a Barolo is always a great experience because this red nectar is one of the greatest wines in Italy (and in the world). But this Barolo is something outstanding. I love talking about a Riserva, a real Cru (single vineyard) from the hill Cannubi, one of the best places for growing the grape Nebbiolo, that, in this place, shows incredible elegance and depth. In this area, the soil is made up of chalks and clay, with high percentage of limestone and sand.

Valle dell’Acate – “Iri da Iri”, the Cru of Cerasuolo di Vittoria that missed

Today I introduce you an absolutely new wine, as, while I am writing it is going to be released on the domestic and foreign market. It is produced in a special area of “my” Sicily , the area of production is  Cerasuolo di Vittoria Classico, the sole DOCG of the island. It is made by one of the most dynamic wineries of the area, probably a flagship winery of this place, Valle dell’Acate, whose name comes from this area, Valle dell’Acate of Dirillo, a small river and even the name of this South – Eastern town of Sicily, in the province of Ragusa. 

Rocca delle Macie Tenuta Sant’Alfonso, an Oscar-worthy performance

From cinema to wine: what an exciting story! In my opinion, very briefly defines the saga of Rocca delle Macìe, the Chianti Classico winery belonging to the Roman family Zingarelli. It’s been more than 40 years (1973) since Italo Zingarelli bought Rocca delle Macìe at Castellina in Chianti, near Siena. He was producer of some important movies got famous in cinema history, such as “spaghetti western” genre performed by unforgettable Bud Spencer and Terence Hill. In  70s, Italo crowned his dream of creating a holding in the heart of Chianti Classico.

Renato Ratti, the great innovator of Barolo and the explosive Rocche dell’Annunziata

The Renato Ratti’s Barolo is a great family history between territory and tradition marked by a courageous and innovative choice. The company founder, Renato Ratti, is known as the “Great innovator of Barolo”. He studied Oenology in Alba (Cuneo), then emigrates to Brazil where he is put in charge of the sparkling wine production and Cinzano’s Vermouth.

Roagna, Barolo Pira 1996 Reserve, 21 years of emotion in the glass

Last July I have had the opportunity to take part in an important national wine event. I have tasted about a hundred of Piedmont wines and thirty of the amazing Barolo DOCG. They were in good shape. However, only one wine has aroused the unanimous emotion of all of us tastes: the Barolo Pira Riserva 1996 of the company Roagna.You have to know that we all asked for an extra glass of wine to fix it better and remember what can become, greatly improving, a Barolo that comes from Nebbiolo grapes harvested 21 years ago.

Elvio Cogno and his Barolo Ravera 2010, an enduring classic

 

It can certainly be said that the Elvio Cogno Barolo was originally conceived under the sign of the purest tradition of vine, wine and land, never losing or compromising its identity over the years.

Elvio Cogno, founder of the family company, who died a year ago after decades of work in the vineyard and in the cellar, had a fixed goal in mind: to exploit the great potential of wines from the Langhe, and in particular the area of Novello, a town in in the province of Cuneo, Piedmont.

Mastrojanni, Vigna Loreto 2011: the attorney’s Brunello is in safe hands

The company is named after the Roman lawyer Gabriele Mastrojanni who, in 1975, bought the estates of San Pio and Loreto and therein planted the first vines. The vineyards are all about 40 years old and, to this day, they are still employed to produce wine. “A poor and virgin land, clean and unpolluted,” or so it was called back in the day. The hills are located between 180 and 440 meters above sea level and the Romea (Francigena), the ancient road used by pilgrims between France and Rome, cuts right through them.