Gaja Sorì Tildìn 2020

Sorì Tildìn is one of the emblematic crus of the Gaja house, in Barbaresco, in Piedmont. In the local dialect, “sorì” means a south-facing hillside, and “Tildìn” is the diminutive of Clotilde, Angelo Gaja's grandmother. The vineyard sits at the top of a hill in Barbaresco, just above Costa Russi. Its south and south-west exposure and amphitheatre shape ensure maximum sunshine, ideal for full ripeness of the Nebbiolo.

The grapes from this sun-drenched hillside undergo a classic fermentation and maceration of around three weeks in stainless-steel tanks, to extract colour, substance and ripe tannins. The wine is then aged for twelve months in barriques, then a further twelve months in large oak casks. This double ageing rounds out the texture and integrates the oak elegantly, while preserving the expression of the Barbaresco terroir and the cru's remarkable ageing potential.

This wine reveals notes of sandalwood, cinnamon, violet, strawberry, cherry, raspberry, liquorice and clove. The complex, fragrant bouquet combines the softness of spices and flowers with generous red fruit. The palate, full and elegant, is generous and voluminous, carried by enveloping, succulent tannins, through to a long, distinguished 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!