Shop Arrivals
The latest drop in the retail shop brings aromatic whites and a range of juicy to complex reds from Lombardia, Piemonte and Campania.
My latest class program delves into the Langhe region of Piemonte, so it was a pleasure to bring in producers like Giovanni Almondo, Braida, Luigi Oddero and Cantina del Pino, producer of real quality to showcase this important region. Giovanni Almondo works grand cru vineyards in Monte, Roero, making dry whites with the prettiest aromas. Nascetta is native grape of Barolo itself, sort of a white Barolo. Few producers make it and Braida, known for cru level Barbera, first contracted these vines near Cuneo in the mid 1980's. Their 'La Regina' is a slightly fuller, more herbal expression of this unique varietal, for lovers of steely Chardonnay. Lastly, a quick diversion to Lombardia for an outlier near Lake Garda. Marangona is a small winery I first encountered at a vertical tasting a few weeks back and it inspired a white wine class. All I will say is this wine shows how taunt, dry and expressive Italian whites can be while still delivering complex aromas like petrol, pepper and dry-rock minerality.
For the reds, we stay in Piemonte with two wines from old families working historic vineyards. Luigi Oddero is the lesser known half of this benchmark family in Barolo. His family produces wines of real elegance and their approach shines bright in their 2020 Barbera d'Alba Superiore. This was among the favorites in class, showing polished cherry and underbriush. Barbaresco from Cantina del Pino is another look into the past, this time in Barbaresco. The 2021 is a bold vintage with intense dried roses and expressive tannins. Teh final red is another diversion, this time to a dormant volcano in western Campania near the Bay of Naples. Cacciagalli is a little cult winery that makes blends from these old soils.