Langhe Nebbiolo 2023

The Langhe Nebbiolo from the Sottimano estate comes from the hills of Piedmont, in northwestern Italy, in the Langhe region, the historical birthplace of the Nebbiolo grape. The vines are located around the village of Neive, on well-exposed slopes at moderate altitudes, with marl-limestone soils rich in clay and sand. This cool yet sunny terroir promotes a slow ripening of the grapes, allowing them to express aromatic finesse, structure, and elegance, while preserving the lively acidity characteristic of the great Nebbiolos of this region.

Sourced from vines located in Barbaresco plots, this Nebbiolo is hand-harvested with meticulous sorting in the vineyard. Fermentation takes place in stainless steel tanks using indigenous yeasts, followed by extended maceration to gently extract tannins and aromas. The wine is then aged for several months in French oak barrels, some of which are new, with minimal intervention and no filtration, in order to preserve the purest expression of the terroir and the natural finesse of the grape variety.

This wine reveals notes of red cherry , raspberry , and strawberry , complemented by floral touches of rose and violet , as well as spicy nuances of pepper and licorice . A light oak character and a mineral backbone that brings freshness are also perceptible. On the palate, the wine is elegant, with lively acidity, fine but present tannins, and a persistent, juicy, and harmonious 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!