Pajoré Barbaresco 2020

The Barbaresco Pajoré from the Sottimano estate comes from the Pajoré cru, located in the municipality of Treiso within the historic Barbaresco area, in the heart of the Piedmontese Langhe. This hillside vineyard, facing primarily south and southwest, rests on marl-limestone soils rich in active limestone, typical of this part of Piedmont. The vines benefit from a continental climate tempered by Alpine influences, with significant temperature variations that promote the aromatic finesse and structure of the Nebbiolo grape.

The grapes from the Pajoré plot are hand-harvested at full maturity, then destemmed and transferred to stainless steel tanks for spontaneous alcoholic fermentation with indigenous yeasts, accompanied by gentle pump-overs and extended maceration on the skins. Malolactic fermentation occurs naturally in barrels. The wine then continues to age in French oak barrels, a small proportion of which are new, on its fine lees, before bottling without aggressive filtration to preserve the purest expression of the Barbaresco terroir.

This wine reveals notes of black cherry , ripe red fruits , and plum , complemented by floral nuances of dried rose and violet , as well as spicy touches of licorice and pepper . Subtle woody accents of cedar and blond tobacco mingle with a discreet mineral structure. On the palate, the wine is full-bodied and precise, supported by lively acidity, firm yet polished tannins, and a long, flavorful 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!