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GWL Day 27 - Tour of the Langhe-Barolo sub-region (PIEMONTE) (126 km)
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Location: Blogs Antonio MaurielloVisiting Italy as a Tourist |
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| Posted by: Antonio Mauriello |
6/30/2004 3:36 PM |
 Compared to the four towns of the Barbaresco region, the Barolo DOCG area, which includes 11 townships, seems like an empire. A kingdom. Yes, it really is. Every one of the 11 towns shows off a castle. And each one of these castles is different in the architecture, size and age.
I toured the region with one goal in mind: prioritize the visit to all the towns over the visit to the estates. Yes, Barolo is a great wine to taste, but I prefer it with a good meal. Besides, after having spent yesterday in the Barbaresco area and tasted over 20 wines, I know what a powerful Nebbiolo can give to our palate! And Barolo is not less or more powerful of his close brother Barbaresco.
So, here I drove and whistled through these towns for 126 km. My GPS didn't fail on me once and made me save lots of time since I avoided looking and turning a paper map into my hands while driving.
In one day, I was able to visit 8 of the 11 Barolo DOCG towns without rushing at all!
Barolo,
Serralunga d'Alba,
Monforte d'Alba,
Grinzane Cavour,
La Morra,
Roddi,
Verduno,
Castiglione Falletto.
Moreover, I visited two Enoteche Regionali, and, of course, all the castles!
The two tastings of the day, took place at the Enoteca Regionale del Barolo in the castle of Barolo and at a winery, the only one visited: Conterno Fantino, one of the main producers featuring the GRANDE Barolo Sori' Ginestra winner of many awards.
Here are my tasting notes:
Conterno Fantino
1) Langhe Rosso Monpra 2001 (Nebbiolo, Barbera, Cabernet). 18 months in small oak barrels (barriques). The three varieties are blended only before the bottling. Price at store: Euro 18. My score: 84/100
2) Langhe Nebbiolo Ginestrino 2002 (Nebbiolo 100%). Price at store: Euro 8. My score: 81/100
3) Dolcetto d'Alba Bricco Bastia 2003 (Dolcetto 100%). The Dolcetto variety is widely cultivated in the Langhe. It's chewy fruit and ready appeal make the wine a pleasing well balanced every day red. This in particular shows a great aging potential. Price at store: Euro 8. My score: 84/100.
4) Barolo Parussi 2000. Price at store: Euro 45. My score: 86/100.
5) Barolo Vigna del Gris 2000. Price at store: Euro 45. My score: 89/100.
6) Barolo Sori Ginestra 2000. Price at store: Euro 50. My score: 92/100.
Enoteca Regionale in Barolo.
Here there are, for sale, all the hundreds of Barolo producers. I tasted a flight of three from the towns of LaMorra and Barolo:
1) Giampiero Marrone Barolo 1999 Pichemej - La Morra (CN)
Intense bouquet, blackberry, wet fur.
Price at store: Euro 33. My score: 84/100
2) Lodovico Borgogno Virna Barolo 1999 Cannubi Boschis - Barolo (CN)
I experienced a strange argyle scent on the nose. Bitter finish.
Price at store: Euro 33. My score: 80/100.
3) Silvano ed Elena Boroli Barolo 1999 Villero - La Morra (CN)
Bouquet not very intense however elegant. There is a very good use of wood.
Price at store: Euro 39. My score: 86/100.
Castle of Grinzane Cavour hosting one of the two Enoteca Regionale I visited today Vineyards at Serralunga d'Alba
 The dozens of places to visit just in one town. I am in Monforte d'Alba and I was stunned here for 10 minutes before deciding to go to "Cantina Conterno-Fantino" for my only tasting of the day The entrance of the estate "Conterno Fantino"  From one town to another, happy like a kid in the Barolo kingdom.  The Castle in the town of Barolo hosts the "Enoteca Regionale del Barolo"  The "Enoteca Regionale del Barolo" in the castle of Barolo. Truly a museum!  The 11 townships of the DOCG Barolo and a book on display on all the Barolo producers. An historical piece. |
| Copyright ©2006 Antonio Mauriello |
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