460 Casino Bric Ansi Langhe Arneis 2023

The 460 Casina Bric estate, meaning "hilltop farm" in the local dialect, is the highest property in the village of Barolo. It is a unique microcosm located at an average altitude of 460 meters , in the middle of a succession of green hills framed by the Alps mountain range.

As with the estate's other wines, rather than reproducing wines already available on the market, this cuvée based on the Arneis grape variety aims to offer enthusiasts a unique product that reflects the value of native vines and the local terroir. Arneis is an old grape variety from southern Piedmont which produces here an elegant and full-bodied white wine. The manual harvest takes place in 20kg crates to spare the fruit as much as possible. Pressing is delicate and fermentation is done carefully for 15-20 days. Aging lasts 6 months on lees in stainless steel vats, with regular stirring to give elegance and best enhance the typicity of the grape variety. On the palate, the wine reveals itself through aromas of quince , gala apple , yellow lemon , comice pear , chamomile , anise , white pepper as well as light mineral and petroleum notes . This wine is ample, round and persistent. A drinkable wine whose structure ensures a long evolution over time.

Ah Italy, what a beautiful hedonistic country, people of the Dolce Vita, but what difficulty in understanding its wine organization! The key to understanding the naming system in Italy is to think of it as several small countries rather than a single homogeneous country because each region has its own naming system. Italy can, however, give wine lovers a multitude of wines with varied and unique flavors and styles, as well as bottles filled with surprise and creativity. Unfortunately, it also produces a large quantity of soulless and characterless wines which are sold under their most useful and commercially reputable name: Pinot Grigio, Chianti, Valpolicella, Lambrusco, Prosecco and many others...



But let's talk a little history, viticulture in Italy dates back to ancient times and it originated in Greece. The Etruscans would have planted vines and Greek immigrants would have improved and modified the grape varieties who subsequently called this country "Oenotria": the country of wine. At the height of the Roman Empire, wine held an important place in daily life and certain regions already stood out for the excellence of their product. The Romans also established numerous vineyards in Europe, leaving an indelible testimony to their invasion.



Today Italy is the largest wine producer in the world, ahead of France. Italy is divided into three climatic areas. The northern mountains experience a fairly harsh mountain climate. The “middle of the boot” plain is the domain of the continental climate with cold winters and hot, stormy summers. In the "southern part of the Italian boot" the Mediterranean climate reigns with very hot and very dry summers without forgetting the islands of Sicily and Sardinia. In summary, Italy produces wines of great variety thanks to its 200 different grape varieties, many of which originate from their lands. It is a country just as complex as its wines which deserve to be explored!