About this WINE
Antonio Vallana e Figlio
The domaine of Antonio Vallana & Figilo dates back to the early 19th century and is located in the town of Maggiora, about 100 miles northeast of Barolo. Antonio Vallana produced legendary wines in the 50s and 60s before the domaine's fortunes slipped in the mid 70s. The wine is now back on form with Antonio's son Francis now playing a major role.
While the domaine has always produced a wide range of wine, its reputation is largely owed to it wines produced from Spanna, the local synomon for Nebbiolo. The steep slopes of the domaine's vineyards mean that all the grapes are hand-harvested. The wines are traditionally matured in large old oak barrels and are characterised by their depth of fruit as well as their exceptional balance.
Piedmont
Piedmont has long been renowned as Italy's premier fine wine province, with its reputation dating back to Roman times and further solidified under the House of Savoy, which wielded influence over Europe during the Middle Ages from its Turin stronghold. Piedmont's prominence in Italian history was notably highlighted as a driving force behind Italian Reunification in 1861.
Situated in the north-western part of Italy, Piedmont boasts a continental climate shaped by the nearby Alps and Ligurian Apennines, influencing both its culture and winemaking traditions. The region is home to several renowned fine wine areas, including the Langhe region, encompassing esteemed appellations such as Barolo and Barbaresco, as well as Monferrato, which features wines like Asti and Gavi, and Novara with its Colline Novaresi and Boca.
Nebbiolo reigns supreme as Piedmont's quintessential grape variety, with its stronghold in the production of illustrious wines such as Barolo and Barbaresco. Following closely are Barbera d'Alba or Barbera d'Asti, and Dolcetto, known for its role as an early-ripening antipasti wine, particularly around Dogliani. Among whites, Moscato takes center stage, crafting both the effervescent Asti and the more refined Moscato d'Asti.
Piedmont also produces notable red wines like Brachetto d'Acqui and popular dry whites such as Gavi, made from the Cortese grape. Remarkably, despite contributing only a small fraction to Italy's total wine production, Piedmont boasts the highest proportion of Denominazione di Origine Controllata (DOC) and Denominazione di Origine Controllata e Garantita (DOCG) wines.
For those seeking exceptional Piedmontese wines, recommended producers include Roberto Sarotto, Marinacci, Punset, Luisin, Roagna, Fratelli Alessandria, Trediberri, Vigneti Luigi Oddero, Marcarini, and E.Pira di Chiara Boschis, among others.
Barbera
Barbera is planted extensively in Piedmont and south-west Lombardy and accounts for over 50% of the wine produced in the region. The majority is sold simply as Barbera del Piemonte, but the best wines are the DOCs, Barbera d'Alba and Barbera d'Asti. It ripens late (after Dolcetto but before Nebbiolo).
The wines are usually ruby red in colour with notably low levels of tannins. They have a pronounced acidity that can be accentuated by overproduction. Barbera wines range from light, tart mouthwashers through to powerful, intensely flavoured wines that require extended cellaring.
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Description
This bright ruby Barbera hails from the northern tip of Piedmont, with strawberry, cherry and black pepper on the nose. Lip-puckering and fruity, it is laden with red berry fruits and ripe plums on the palate, as well as delicate spice, mirroring the nose. Thanks to the cooler climate, the tannins are lighter and silkier than those in the Langhe and the acidity immensely refreshing. Drink now to 2020.
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