Barolo Riserva 2016

Located in the heart of Piedmont, the Borgogno estate cultivates its Nebbiolo vines on the hills of Barolo, around the eponymous village and the neighboring appellation-classified communes. The plots, situated on marly-calcareous soils rich in clay and sand, benefit from varied exposures that promote slow and complete grape ripening. This hilly terroir, with moderate altitude and a continental climate tempered by Alpine influences, offers ideal conditions for producing Barolo of great finesse and aging potential.

The Nebbiolo grapes are hand-harvested, then destemmed and crushed before a traditional alcoholic fermentation in vats with long maceration on the skins to extract structure and complexity. Malolactic fermentation then occurs naturally. The wine is then aged for a long time in large Slavonian oak barrels, where it slowly matures to refine its tannins and develop its tertiary aromas, before further resting in bottles at the estate before release to the market.

This wine reveals notes of ripe red fruits, dark fruits, and violet, complemented by spicy touches of licorice and pepper, as well as subtle woody and tobacco accents. On the palate, the body is ample and structured, supported by vibrant acidity and firm but refined tannins, which extend into a persistent and flavorful finish, marked by a mineral and slightly balsamic dimension.

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!