Azienda Negro Angelo

They were very welcoming and offered me a full tasting of all their production from their base version of Arneis (Euro 6) to their top line, limited edition of a cru Barbera and Barbaresco (Euro 35). I wrapped up my visit with a small lunch where I tasted their homemade salame and a local specialty cheese called "Toma Murazzano" to which has been recognized the DOP (Denominazione Origine Protetta), a government stamp of proven origin and quality.

Their philosophy is innovative: all their wines are made with 100% single grape. No blends of any kind!

Whites:

1) Langhe Favorita DOC 2003. Price in stores: Euro 8. My score: 76/100.

2) Roero Arneis DOC 2003. Price in stores: Euro 8. My score: 82/100.

3) Perdaudin Roero Arneis DOC 2003. Price in stores: Euro 12. My score: 82/100.

4) Gianat Roero Arneis DOC 2003. Price in stores: Euro 15. My score: 82/100.

Reds:

1) Langhe Dolcetto DOC 2003. Price in stores: Euro 12. My score: 81/100.

2) Barbera d'Alba DOC 2003. Price in stores: Euro 7. My score: 78/100.

3) Roero DOC 2002. Price in stores: Euro 12. My score: 82/100.

4) Prachiosso Roero DOC 2001 (Nebbiolo 100%) Price in stores: Euro 15. My score: 80/100.

5) Nicolon Barbera d'Alba DOC 2002. Price in stores: Euro 12. My score: 86/100.

6) Sodisfa' Roero DOC 2001 (Nebbiolo 100%). Price in stores: Euro 26. My score: 90/100.

7) Barbaresco cru Basarin DOCG 2001. Price in stores: Euro 32. My score: 92/100.

8) Bric Bertu Barbera d'Alba DOC 2001. Price in stores: Euro 20. My score: 92/100.

Then I drove to the little town of Monta' d'Alba. There are literally hundreds of towns and villages in this area. To help you out in finding a town, all of their names end with the name of the main city or region where the town is located. So you have Monta' d'Alba (so you know it is near Alba), Montaldo Roero (in the Roero region), or San Damiano d'Asti (near Asti). Further ahead, we will find town names such as Serravalle Langhe and so on. This is done, so they can be distinguished from other homonym Italian towns.

Azienda Taliano Michele in Monta' d'Alba

This small producer has achieved success in recent years. It was a joy for me, to chat with the owner Michele, father of the 2 "boys" now in charge of the business.
Michele patiently showed their cellars and opened a few good bottles for me.

Here is a wrap up of the tasting:

1) Roero Arneis Serni' 2003. An almost full body white, sapid on the final. Price at the store: Euro 7. My score: 80/100.
2) Barbera d'Alba A Bon Rendre 2003. Price at the store: Euro 7. My score: 82/100.

3) Roero Roche Dra Bossora 2001 100% Nebbiolo. Bouquet is very intense with a stunning eucalyptus note. Very good price/quality ratio. Price at the store: Euro 12. My score: 88/100.

4) Barbera d'Alba Laboriosa. Very good price/quality ratio. Price at the store: Euro 12. My score: 86/100.

My next stop was in Canale Roero where the Enoteca Regionale of Roero is located. The setting is beautiful: the Enoteca occupies part of a 19th century palace. On the second floor there is a luxurious restaurant featuring a lavish regional menu. As in all the Enoteche Regionali, one can find here all the producers of the areas (over 100). Unfortunately, I could not taste anything because the tasting room was fully taken by an outside tasting commission. I was a bit disappointed, because I don't think the general public can, so easily, be put aside from tasting because of that reason.

Then I drove north towards Asti out from Roero and back into the territory of Monferrato, because I wanted to visit the tiny village of San Martino Alfieri where the castle and the winery of "Marchesi Alfieri" is located.

A splendid seventeen-century castle is now a wine estate. I was able to have a tour arranged, so I visited the property, the gardens and the cellar. Unfortunately, here too, nobody was available for the wine tasting. I know, sometimes it is my fault, because I never call ahead. However, as I said before, this is part of my standards I set at the beginning of my trip, and I like to judge wineries also based on the "art" and "savoir-fair" of the people at the reception, when not advised in advance.