Giacomo Fenocchio Barolo Cannubi 2020

The Barolo Cannubi from the Giacomo Fenocchio estate comes from the famous Cannubi cru, in the heart of the commune of Barolo, in the Piedmont region of north-western Italy. The vines are located on a historic hill facing mainly south and south-east, at moderate altitude, enjoying a particularly favourable microclimate. The soils are made up of calcareous marls and sands, giving the wine a combination of aromatic finesse and structure. This terroir is considered one of the most prestigious in the Barolo appellation area.

The Nebbiolo grapes are harvested by hand at full ripeness, then destemmed and crushed before a long traditional maceration with regular pump-overs. Fermentation takes place in temperature-controlled stainless-steel tanks, with long vatting times allowing gradual extraction of tannins and aromas. After running off, the wine is slowly aged in large Slavonian oak casks to preserve the expression of the Cannubi terroir, before being bottled without artifice, in a classic, low-intervention style.

This wine reveals notes of black cherry, ripe red fruit and plum, complemented by floral nuances of dried rose and violet. Spicy touches of liquorice, pepper and sweet spices blend with a more tertiary register of tobacco and fine leather. On the palate, the texture is ample and structured, carried by firm tannins that remain elegant, lively acidity and a long, persistent, slightly mineral 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!