Italian wine Barolo

True connoisseurs of exclusive drinks know firsthand that the real Barolo wine is produced in one of Italy's most famous wine regions. A rich taste and harmonious aroma is the merit of a mild climate and a unique connection between the soil composition and the terroir.

Piedmont Region

This region in Italy enjoys well-deserved popularity - it is here that one of the best wines, known for their harmonious taste and unique aroma, is produced. The region of Piedmont has its name due to a small village, which is located in the heart of this picturesque country.

Today, the area of grape plantations occupies slightly more than 1400 hectares. Here, in their majority, local varieties of grapes grow, from which the exquisite Barolo wine is obtained. The region consists of five communes, each of which was formed several centuries ago. La Morra occupied the northern part of Barolo, Serralunga d'Alba stretched in the east, Monforte d'Alba is the southern commune, and Castiglione Faleto Barolo occupies the central part of the region.

The unique climate of the region is the merit of the natural factor. The thing is that about 2 million years ago a glacier passed through this territory of Italy, which literally divided the region into two parts. As a result, two separate territories were formed, which differ significantly in soil composition and climatic features.

Serralunga d'Alba

In this region is the family estate Fontanafredda, which at one time belonged to the famous royal family. Needless to say, it was they who mastered the production of the refined drink, which later became a real "wine of kings and king of wines."

A mild climate allows you to grow a unique grape variety of Nebbiolo, which is the raw material for creating excellent vintage wines. The collection of varieties is multifaceted and diverse. Exquisite varieties are famous all over the world for their excellent taste and exquisite aroma. Barolo wine is distinguished by its rich taste of truffles and resins, exquisite notes of violets and spicy roses. All this is complemented by shades of plum jam, raspberries, Indian incense and rose hips.

It's enough just one sip to remember the unique taste and aroma of the noble drink that the Italian kings so loved.

Region's wealth

It will be a unique sort of grapes Nebbiolo, which is a harmonious component of this terroir. It is this variety that brought such popularity to the region of Piedmont and directly to the region itself. The grape variety is distinguished by a unique taste, which completely consists of contradictions. It is Nebbiolo that gives the wine a luxurious and refined aroma.

The grape variety is distinguished by small berries with dense skin. In practice, most of the berries are bones, which are the main problem for winemakers. The thing is that they contain a large number of tannins. The berries of grapes have a slightly bitter taste, which is caused by insufficient maturation process.

This grade is characterized by another problem - insufficient pigmentation of berries. But the right color for wine is a necessity, without which the drink will not be truly quality.

This grape variety is the first to release buds, so Nebbiolo is afraid of late frosts and heavy rains. But the harvest in Piedmont is collected only in October, when early frosts no longer pose a threat to berries. The best gustatory qualities of grapes are caused by sharp temperature changes in the daytime and evening time. By the way, Barolo wine has received such versatility of taste due to this sort of grapes. Nebbiolo very fond of fogs - even the name of the variety eloquently testifies to this.

A bit about the region in which one of the best wines is produced

Winemaking in Italy is a separate chapter that will make the right conclusions about this country. Italian wines are as sunny as the weather, tart, like the flavor of the local population, and exquisite, like the beauty of local women. Barolo was one of the first wine-growing regions to receive the international status of DOCG, which says that almost 100% of its territory is covered by vineyards. Italian Barolo wine is produced here. Wine of kings is made in the historical regions of Piedmont. For several centuries, the best grape varieties have grown in these areas , which are the raw materials for the production of better wines.

Barolo: Franco Serra

This drink deserves special attention. The bottle is made in a strict and laconic style, as it should be for exclusive varieties, without unnecessary details. To assess the authentic taste, one sip will be small. Barolo - wine, which should a little "breathe". True connoisseurs recommend opening the bottle half an hour before tasting - this will reveal everything, even the finest notes of exquisite taste and harmonious flavor.

The ruby color of wine is determined by a special grape variety, which is grown especially for this drink. With the first gulp, there is a characteristic "oak" note and a bit of cognac, which is especially felt in the basal area of the tongue. In the aroma of Barolo: Franco Serra there is no hint of alcohol - only chocolate and vanilla.

The wine is rather dense. If you give the drink a little breathe, you can hear a characteristic oak flavor and a light plume of prunes.

Two images - two tastes

Barolo - wine, which is produced in two versions (directly by Barolo and Barolo Riserva).

Actually Barolo itself - a vintage wine - is aged for at least 36 months. And 18 of them are in oak barrels. Every year on the very first day of the New Year, the drink goes on sale 4 years after harvest. This is an exclusive wine, which is appreciated by gourmets around the world.

The second version - Barolo Riserva - is aged for at least 62 months, 18 of which wine is languishing in oak barrels. You can buy a bottle of this wine only for the sixth year after harvesting the grapes.

Manufacturing technology

Between the classical technology of production and modern methods of production lies a huge chasm. The thing is that for the true gourmets the process of long-term post-fermentation maceration is extremely important, because at that moment the beverage is saturated with those same tannins, phenols, anthocyanins and other compounds that create the unique taste and aroma of the drink. In addition, traditional production technology is characterized by a prolonged retention in oak barrels (as a rule, at least two years). Barrels for wine are made from Slavonian oak - this type of wood has a softening effect on tannins.

According to the technology, Barolo (wine 2009) is aged for two years in oak barrels and about 12 months in bottles. Only after this time the drink goes on sale. Needless to say that some specimens are stored in the cellars for dozens of years? Of course, the price of Barolo wine is much higher in this case. However, and a less mature drink to buy in Russia for less than 3000 rubles - a great success for his lover.

Currently, many manufacturers have greatly simplified and accelerated the process of wine production. For the first time it happened in the 1980s thanks to a group of enthusiasts who managed to create an exquisite wine with a bright fruity accent. Gourmets appreciated this drink, closing their eyes to the deviation from the canons.

Modernists shortened the process of maceration, slightly corrected the fermentation (low temperature was used), and replaced the massive oak barrels with compact barricks (this accelerated the process of ripening tannins and softened them). The result was a light Italian wine, full of fruit flavor and aroma. Barolo wine takes a special place of honor in the category of wines known to true connoisseurs of a noble drink.

Advantages of modern production method

Accelerated fermentation allows you to enjoy the fruity taste of young wine. Traditionalists condemn this method, because, in their opinion, small barrels saturate the wine with a vanilla flavor, which is uncharacteristic for a real drink. But as a result of modern technology, aromatic fruit wines with saturated colors are obtained, which are preferred by most consumers.

In any case, in some regions, Barolo wine is still produced using classical technology. And this means that both traditionalists and less picky gourmets will be able to choose their own drink from the proposed category of wines.

Gastronomic properties of wine

The classic Barolo is 100% composed of Nebbiolo. For the drink is characterized by a rich taste, which is accompanied by pronounced woody and cognac notes. Often this drink is compared to the French wine "Pinot Noir". The similarity is in brick-pomegranate color and acidity, characteristic for both drinks. Classical Italian wine has a fruity aroma, with a pronounced trail of resins and dry herbs. With a detailed examination of the drink, or rather, its tasting, you can clearly hear floral notes that remind of solar Italy.

In a world of good wine, it's easy to get lost. On the windows there is a huge number of bottles with the inscription Barolo. Orientation is easier on the recommendations of Vinibuoni d'Italia, a guide that compiled its list of the best wines according to the organoleptic characteristics and reviews of true connoisseurs.