Barbaresco Bordini 2022

The Barbaresco Bordini from La Spinetta winery comes from the Bordini cru, located in the municipality of Neive, in the heart of the historic Barbaresco area in Piedmont. The vines are planted on hills facing mainly south and southwest, at a moderate altitude, on marly-calcareous soils rich in sand and clay. This Langhe terroir, benefiting from a continental climate tempered by Alpine influences, allows Nebbiolo to express great aromatic finesse and an elegant structure, typical of this renowned sector.

The Nebbiolo grapes are harvested by hand, then destemmed and fermented in stainless steel tanks with maceration for about two weeks. Malolactic fermentation takes place in French barriques. The wine is then aged in French oak barrels, mostly used, for approximately twenty months, before further rest in the bottle to refine the tannins and preserve the aromatic finesse characteristic of the Bordini cru.

This wine reveals notes of ripe red fruits, black cherry, and plum, complemented by floral touches of rose and violet, as well as spicy nuances reminiscent of pepper and licorice. Woody and slightly toasted accents mingle with a subtle mineral dimension. On the palate, the texture is ample and precise, driven by a lively acidity, firm but polished tannins, and a long, savory finish that highlights the elegance of Nebbiolo.

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!