La Spinetta Langhe Nebbiolo 2023

This Langhe Nebbiolo comes from the hills of Neive, one of the communes of the Barbaresco area, at the heart of the Piedmontese Langhe. The vines are planted there at around 280 metres above sea level, on calcareous and sandy marls. La Spinetta, founded in 1977 in Castagnole Lanze by the Rivetti family, extended its vineyard onto these slopes, whose limestone and clay soils are particularly well suited to Nebbiolo, giving it finesse and freshness.

The estate practises sustainable viticulture, paying close attention to the soils and biodiversity. After alcoholic fermentation, the wine goes through malolactic fermentation in French oak barrels, where it continues ageing for around twelve months. This ageing rounds out the texture and softens the tannins while respecting the brightness of the fruit and the freshness of the grape variety, for a Nebbiolo that is approachable from a young age.

This wine reveals notes of wild strawberry, clove, dark chocolate, rose, cherry, raspberry, violet and liquorice. On the palate, the wine is elegant and fresh, with floral and fruity notes. The soft, velvety tannins combine with lovely acidity to shape a complex, powerful finish.

Ah, Italy, what a beautiful, hedonistic country, the land of la dolce vita, but how difficult it is to understand its wine industry! The key to understanding the appellation system in Italy is to think of it as several small countries rather than a single homogeneous nation, as each region has its own appellation system. Italy can offer wine lovers a multitude of wines with varied and unique flavors and styles, bottles brimming with surprise and creativity. Unfortunately, it also produces a large quantity of soulless, characterless wines sold under their most commercially useful and prestigious name: Pinot Grigio, Chianti, Valpolicella, Lambrusco, Prosecco, and many others... But let's talk a little history. Viticulture in Italy dates back to antiquity and originated in Greece. The Etruscans are said to have introduced the vine, and Greek immigrants improved and modified the grape varieties, subsequently calling the country "Oenotria": the land of wine. At the height of the Roman Empire, wine held an important place in daily life, and certain regions already distinguished themselves by the excellence of their product. The Romans also established numerous vineyards in Europe, leaving an indelible mark of their conquest. Today, Italy is the world's largest wine producer, ahead of France. Italy is divided into three climatic zones. The northern mountains have a rather harsh mountain climate. The plains of the "central boot" are characterized by a continental climate with cold winters and hot, stormy summers. In the southern part of the Italian boot, the Mediterranean climate prevails, with very hot and dry summers, not forgetting the islands of Sicily and Sardinia. In short, Italy produces a wide variety of wines thanks to its 200 different grape varieties, many of which originated in its own lands. It is a country as complex as its wines, which deserve to be explored!