For a printable PDF of this weekend’s notes, click here!
Produttori del Barbaresco Barbaresco 2017
Origin: Barbaresco, Italy
Retail: $53.95 | Sale: $48.55
Before 1894, Nebbiolo grapes were sold to make Barolo wine or simply labeled «Nebbiolo di Barbaresco». But in 1894, Domizio Cavazza, headmaster of the Royal Enological School of Alba and a Barbaresco resident, created the first cooperative, the «Cantine Sociali», by gathering together nine Barbaresco vineyard owners to make wine in the local castle that he owned. He understood well the differences between the same grape, the Nebbiolo, grown in the different areas of Barolo and Barbaresco and, for the first time, recognized it on the wine label. The ‘Cantine Sociali’ was closed in the 1930’s because of fascist economic rules. In 1958, the priest of the village of Barbaresco, recognizing that the only way the small properties could survive was by joining their efforts, gathered together nineteen small growers and founded the Produttori del Barbaresco. The first three vintages were made in the church basement, then in the winery built across the square where the Produttori is still located. Each family is in full control of its land, growing Nebbiolo grapes with centuries old skill and dedication. In great vintages, nine single-vineyard Barbarescos are produced from nine classic premium sites within the Barbaresco village boundaries. These are the geographical names of sites where Nebbiolo grapes have always been cultivated. The Produttori del Barbaresco vinifies only Nebbiolo grapes.
100% Nebbiolo
Boniperti Fara ‘Barton’ 2015
Origin: Tuscany, Italy
Retail: $35.95 | Sale: $32.35
A quotation from Gilberto Boniperti's web-site: “When you don't know what to do, go out in the vineyards, there's always something to do there!” I would never have imagined that phrase, repeated so many times by my grandfather, would become one of his great teachings, and a cardinal rule of my philosophy of work and of life: dedication to my vineyards, many hours of manual labor, attention to the details of vinification and finally patiently waiting for the necessary maturation of my wines.” Gilberto combines this attention to the traditional work of a wine-grower with the technical knowledge gained by studying enology at the acclaimed school in Alba. The results are as you would expect, well-made, expressive, thoughtful wines made from Nebbiolo and the local Vespolina (a relative of Nebbiolo)
70% Nebbiolo | 30% Vespolina