Gattinara, Piedmont, Italy
With its freshness, vivacity, and pure deliciousness, this is the perfect autumnal wine and one to carry you through the cold winter months. Founded in 1908, the Cantina Sociale offers Gattinara’s small winegrowing families a steady path to viticultural independence, economic sustainability, and continued stewardship of the land. The Cantina’s forty member families care for their own tiny plots, which total a mere 37 acres in the zone’s pure volcanic soils. The Cantina’s Vino Rosso is a field blend of Nebbiolo (60%), Barbera (30%), Vespolina, and Uva Rara, as well as some unknown, historical varieties. A transparent cherry color, the Cantina’s Vino Rosso presents delicious aromas of tart cherries, red plums, fresh rose petals, and earth. Vibrant on the palate, red cherry and red currant fruit notes mingle with a firm tannic spine, brisk acidity, cinnamon, and volcanic soil. High toned floral notes emerge and segue the wine to its long, joyous finish. Pair this versatile and unusually affordable Alto Piemonte blend now and over the coming five years with both classic hearty Piemontese cuisine and everyday fare such as pizza, salumi, grilled strip steaks, medium-firm cheeses, pasta, burgers, and pork chops.
A December 2020 newsletter selection
