Barolo 2017

The 460 Casina Bric estate, which means "perched farm" in the local dialect, is the highest property in the village of Barolo. In this unique microcosm located at an average altitude of 460 meters , in the middle of a succession of green hills framed by the Alps mountain range, the Nebbiolo grape variety expresses the best of itself. The altitude provides a cool and ventilated climate conducive to the development of expansive and intense aromas. This is where Gianluca Viberti shows his talent by sublimating this unique grape variety, the sole source of Barolo wines.

All the grapes are hand-picked in small 20kg crates so as not to damage the fruit. Traditional vinification lasts between 30 and 40 days in concrete vats without the slightest addition of chemical yeasts. Then, an additional 15-day maceration will take place in order to extract more aromatic compounds and tannins. This wine then undergoes a colossal aging of 12 to 18 months in oak vats and barrels. Once the assembly of the different containers is complete, the wine will stay 6 to 12 months in concrete vats to finally mature in the bottle for an additional 6 to 12 months before being released on the market. This vintage develops aromas of wild fruits , raisins , prunes , morello cherries , blackberries , toast , tobacco , dried red flowers and balsamic vinegar . The palate is of great complexity offset by a lively acidity and structured, almost grainy tannins that give it a full and persistent finish. A wine for long keeping that will become more complex over the years.

The little history of the country Ah Italy, what a beautiful hedonistic country, people of the Dolce Vita, but what difficulty in understanding its wine organization! The key to understanding the naming system in Italy is to think of it as several small countries rather than a single homogeneous country because each region has its own naming system. Italy can, however, give wine lovers a multitude of wines with varied and unique flavors and styles, as well as bottles filled with surprise and creativity. Unfortunately, it also produces a large quantity of soulless and characterless wines which are sold under their most useful and commercially reputable name: Pinot Grigio, Chianti, Valpolicella, Lambrusco, Prosecco and many others... But let's talk a little history, viticulture in Italy dates back to ancient times and it originated in Greece. The Etruscans would have planted vines and Greek immigrants would have improved and modified the grape varieties who subsequently called this country "Oenotria": the country of wine. At the height of the Roman Empire, wine held an important place in daily life and certain regions already stood out for the excellence of their product. The Romans also established numerous vineyards in Europe, leaving an indelible testimony to their invasion. Today Italy is the largest wine producer in the world, ahead of France. Italy is divided into three climatic areas. The northern mountains experience a fairly harsh mountain climate. The “middle of the boot” plain is the domain of the continental climate with cold winters and hot, stormy summers. In the "southern part of the Italian boot" the Mediterranean climate reigns with very hot and very dry summers without forgetting the islands of Sicily and Sardinia. In summary, Italy produces wines of great variety thanks to its 200 different grape varieties, many of which originate from their lands. It is a country just as complex as its wines which deserve to be explored!