Nebbiolo
“A grape that gives us so much satisfaction”
Nebbiolo is a black berry grape native to the Langhe; it is the variety from which the two great world-famous red wines Barbaresco and Barolo are produced.
“Nibiol” is mentioned as early as 1268 in some wine lists found in the Castle of Rivoli.
The Savoys who arrived in Piedmont in the late 16th century drank it at court banquets and introduced it to the tables of the European nobility during the diplomatic dinners.
After the advent of phylloxera, it was replaced by more resistant and productive varieties in many areas of Piedmont and cultivated only in the most suitable ones, the surroundings of the municipalities of Barbaresco and Barolo, and in the Roero area.
Agronomic Characteristics
- Compared to other grapes in the area, Nebbiolo sprouts early but ripens later, and it is always the last to be harvested.
- It prefers hilly, calcareous-marly soils with a South, West, or South-West exposition.
Characteristics of the wines
- Wines made from Nebbiolo grapes have a red-garnet color, a good acidity and quality solid tannins that need an aging period more or less long.
Disciplinary
- Barbaresco must be aged for at least 26 months, 9 of which in wood
- Barbaresco Riserva must be aged for at least 50 months, 9 of which in wood
Our Nebbiolo Wines
We have different expressions of Nebbiolo, vinified with distinctive styles and aging, coming from different areas of our vineyards. Our selection includes Barbaresco, Barbaresco Bricco San Giuliano, Barbaresco Riserva, pink wine from Nebbiolo, and two diverse types of Langhe Nebbiolo, (the young one aged in steel only, and the traditional one).
Freisa
“An extremely versatile relative variety of Nebbiolo”
Freisa is a black berry grape morphologically like Nebbiolo, native to the hills of Turin and widespread in the Langhe.
Agronomic Characteristics
- It prefers soils of medium fertility and good exposures and is very resistant to vine diseases.
- It sprouts late and ripens in late September / early October.
Characteristics of the wines
- Wines made from Freisa grapes have an acid shoulder, quality tannins and an excellent aging potential.
- Some producers prefer to vinify it in its sparkling and sweet expression, a wine to be drunk young, to enhance its intense aroma of berries and raspberries.
Our Freisa is dry, still, powerful, fruity, and spicy, vinified to maintain its aroma for a long time.
Barbera
The first evidence of the use of Barbera in Piedmont dates back to 1249, when they are mentioned in a vineyard lease contract. This black grape is most common in the Monferrato but since the late 70s it has also been planted in many places in the Bassa Langa and in the Roero area.
Agronomic Characteristics
- It prefers marly, loamy, and sandy soils, even chalky ones.
- It sprouts late and ripens in the second half of September or early October.
Characteristics of the wines
- Wines made from Barbera grapes have a high acidity and a few tannins.
- The alcohol content is always quite high.
Our Barbera is gastronomic wine, which is a wine whose qualities are enhanced by food. Therefore, it is ideal and suitable to be tasted with everyday meals.
Dolcetto
A black grape native to Piedmont, which is grown mainly in the Langhe and Monferrato.
Agronomic Characteristics
- This variety prefers marly-limestone soils.
- It sprouts late and ripens early, and it is rather difficult to manage in the vineyard.
- It is the first grape to be harvested among the black berry varieties.
- It grows well in hillsides between 300 and 600 m of altitude.
Characteristics of the wines
- Wines made from Dolcetto grapes are vinous, fresh, intensely colored, tannic and with low acidity.
- In the 50s and 60s, when the economic hardship was widespread in the Langhe, Dolcetto was the grape that allowed farmers to bring home the daily bread and butter.
We owe so much to this grape variety, and we continue to cultivate and vinify it with the uttermost passion. Here you can find our our Dolcetto.
Arneis
White grape native to Roero, widespread in the Langhe region. The first historical evidence of the presence of this vine in the area dates back to 1528, when the Roero Earl drew up a lease for some vineyards in Canale d’Alba.
Its berries are extremely sweet, which is why it was planted among the Nebbiolo rows to prevent the birds from feeding on its berries.
Agronomic Characteristics
- Sprouting is medium-early, and ripening takes place in mid-late September.
Characteristics of the wines
- Wines made from Arneis grapes are medium-bodied and medium-acid.
Our Arneis is fragrant and savory, thanks to the minerality of the soils where the grapes are cultivated.
Favorita
A white berry grape native to Roero, also widespread in the Langhe and in the Monferrato area that surrounds Asti.
The earliest documented references date back to 1676 when the “favored grapes” were mentioned in the farmstead of the Roero Earl of Vezza.
Agronomic Characteristics
- This variety sprouts late and ripens in mid – late September.
Characteristics of the wines
- Wines made from this grape do not have an extremely high alcohol content, they are fragrant, lively, and fresh.
It is difficult to find a pure Favorita, but you will find it in our production!
