Gianni Gagliardo Barolo del Comune di Monforte d'Alba 2021

The Gianni Gagliardo - Barolo del Comune di Monforte d'Alba cuvée comes from the commune of Monforte d'Alba, in the south-east of the Barolo appellation, in Piedmont's Langhe. It brings together two vineyards of opposite character: a plot facing south and south-east, which brings volume and depth, and a plot facing east, overlooking a cool valley, which offers tension and aromatic lift. The hills here enjoy a continental climate, with hot summers and cool autumns ideal for the slow ripening of Nebbiolo.

The Nebbiolo from the two plots is harvested separately at full ripeness, then vinified with extended maceration in order to extract the tannic structure typical of the Monforte terroirs. The wine then undergoes long ageing, of around thirty months, in large oak vats (foudres) and previously used casks, which polishes the tannins without masking the fruit or the floral finesse of the grape variety. The cuvée is produced in limited quantities, in numbered bottles.

This wine reveals notes of dried flowers, rose, geranium, black cherry, stewed plum, crème brûlée, tobacco leaf and dried red fruit. The bouquet blends dry leaves, dark fruit and caramelised touches. The broad, deep palate rests on remarkably silky tannins and stretches into a classic, austere and long 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!