Reserve Barbaresco 2016

The Barbaresco Reserve from the Sottimano estate comes from the hills of Piedmont, in northwestern Italy, in the heart of the Barbaresco appellation. The vines are located on the slopes of the municipality of Neive and its immediate surroundings, benefiting from varied exposures and marl-limestone soils rich in clay and sand. This Langhe terroir, both cool and well-ventilated, promotes slow ripening of the grapes and allows the wines to express with precision the aromatic finesse and structure typical of Nebbiolo.

At the Sottimano estate, the Nebbiolo grapes destined for Barbaresco are hand-harvested at full maturity, then destemmed and fermented with indigenous yeasts, without strict temperature control, using long macerations and gentle pump-overs. Malolactic fermentation occurs naturally in French oak barrels, where the wine is then aged for an extended period, primarily in previously used barrels, to preserve the expression of the terroir, before bottling without extensive filtration after a period of rest in tanks.

This wine reveals notes of black cherry , ripe red fruits , and plum , complemented by floral touches of violet and dried rose. Spicy nuances of licorice and pepper mingle with subtle oak, with smoky and slightly balsamic accents. On the palate, the wine is full-bodied and precise, supported by lively acidity , firm yet refined tannins , and a long, flavorful finish marked by a persistent minerality .

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!