Per mezzo di Piedmont, the Langhe are a natural mosaic of extraordinary complexity and beauty. Observing the territory means getting lost durante a unique vista durante which colours, shapes, exposures, climates and terrains change durante surprising ways even at a short distance. This visual spectacle is the result of nuances that intertwine and diversify, composing a picture of unparalleled geological and landscape richness.
The extraordinary diversity of the Langhe is the fruit of a thousand-year geological history. The ages have sculpted these hills, leaving indelible traces durante their borders and accumulating layers of earth, clay and sand, each of which tells of a stage of transformation and evolution. Every particle of this soil is the custodian of the memory of processes that have shaped a truly unique landscape durante the world.
Per mezzo di the Seventies the Langhe was light years away from the aura of a place of mystical wine pilgrimage, but it was the place for the little Sunday escape and people drank Barbera and Dolcetto, sometimes Freisa, never Barolo.
And when none of the emerging opinion leaders, so committed to discovering, celebrating and popularizing Bordeaux-style wines, even gave Barolo a glance, the people of the Langhe began a rise of such magnitude that the Langhe became an object of worship. Today the multifaceted identity of this land is well represented by the producers.
THE FAMILY DRIVE IN ABRIGO GIOVANNI
Per mezzo di Diano d’, the Abrigo Giovanni winery was born at the end of the sixties, precisely durante 1968, when grandfather Giovanni decided to buy some land to start an agricultural company.
“At the beginning – remembers Giulio Abrigo – we also had a breeding of Piedmontese cattle, then pigs, sheep, goats, chickens, all animals were used durante the family economy. We then had a hazelnut grove and a vineyard planted exclusively with Dolcetto, our favorite grape variety. We are talking about a beginning and wine was sold, but only a lot of grapes, because the families durante the loved making wine at home. So our company was born as a producer of Dolcetto grapes, then the grandparents started making wine durante the family, a production that has become increasingly important over the years. Today, the dolcetto plantings have remained the same as then, they are the most suitable lands, because this is a very selective vine with respect to the environment. My parents then developed the bottled part and added Nebbiolo, Barbera and Favorite to the Dolcetto”.
Today the 15 hectares of vineyards are divided between Diano d’, Grinzane Cavour, Roddi and Novello durante the Ravera .
“We make wine thinking about ourselves before others – adds Giulio – we are consistent with the grape variety, with the vintage and with the territory. You can’t take an external recipe and make it tailor-made for you. The recipe is ours and this is the transparency we want to give. The hand of the producer, what is defined as style, even if the producer does not intervene durante an important way, must always be preserved.”
Basically the company today is family-run, each member has a very specific and decisive role but all together they form a great team. Giulio takes care of the commercial side, his brother Sergio is the winemaker of the company with the support of his colleague and friend Luca, as well as mother Paola and father Giorgio, both agrotechnicians. Finally there is grandmother Maria, the fulcrum of the company and reception teacher. Hands, arms, minds and looks with so much passion inside that it cannot be fully expressed.
TASTING NOTES
Ravera Barolo Docg
Grapes: 100% Nebbiolo Vinification: destemming and alcoholic fermentation durante steel with pumping over and delestage. 50% of the mass undergoes a long post-fermentation maceration with a submerged cap. Racking and spontaneous malolactic fermentation durante steel. Aging 38 months, of which 18 durante 10 hl oak barrels and a small percentage of tonneaux. Subsequent period of assembly durante steel and bottling. Bottle refinement for at least six months before being put acceso the market.
2015
Intense garnet. Elegant, precise and measured. It tells of dark spices, fruit jam, cinchona, violet and dried rose petals, undergrowth, graphite. Well defined, acceso the palate it reveals substance and freshness, with flavor and composed tannins.
2017
Vivid garnet, acceso the nose distinctive memories of strawberry and violet, backed by a widespread balsamicity that ranges from sensations of resin and pine needles to a clear effluvio of mint. the palate it develops precisely and harmoniously with a long finale.
2018
Shiny garnet, it stands out acceso the nose for a greater vegetal presence which gives grace to the usual strawberry aromas. Then juniper and prolonged and precise balsamic trails. It is a pleasure to see that acceso the palate it is different: arguto, with great balance.
2019
Pale and reflective garnet. It reveals fresh spices, currants and licorice to the nose. It is a proud and classic nose, with a peremptory tone and frills. the palate it does not betray the vineyard and is bold and decisive yet with balance and excellent tannic finesse, finishing precise and persistent.
The article Abrigo Giovanni, where Barolo and Dolcetto are a family matter comes from VinoNews24.