Roero, the white wines’ core in Piedmont

People living in this small piece of Piedmont are proud and stubborn. This area is squeezed between Cuneo, North of Alba, on the left bank of Tanaro river, between the plain of Carmagnola and the low hills of Asti.

This is Roero, probably a less known area than Langhe, but made up of those people that are committed in promoting at their best wineries, vineyards, local food and wines, in an admirable team work. The so-called Associazione Enoteca Regionale del Roero 2.0, based in Canale (CN), definitely the “main city of Roero”, includes 66 wine producers (all the wineries of this area).

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.

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.

Roberto Voerzio, individualism and originality in Barolo Fossati Case Nere 2003

The history of Roberto Voerzio, of his company and his wines is relatively recent, yet it is already rich in satisfaction and in excellent wines that elicit emotion after emotion.
Here’s the backstory. The winery was founded in 1986 in La Morra, a small town in the heart of the Langhe. Roberto has always been known for his exceptional Barolo, but believe me, even the bottles of Barbera leave their mark. Not to mention the Merlot and Dolcetto.

Boroli – Cerequio 2012, the young and impudent Barolo aiming high

Today’s top wine comes from the vineyard of Cerequio hill, 300 meters above sea level, shared by the towns of Barolo and La Morra, in the province of Cuneo (Piedmont region, North-West Italy). This is the historical Langhe area, recognized as a world heritage site by UNESCO. The Cerequio is a first class cru vineyard: the Boroli-owned Nebbiolo grapes are grown in the municipality of Barolo.