2018 Langhe Rosato, Trediberri, Piedmont, Italy

Trediberri, Piedmont

Trediberri, literally meaning “the three from Berri”, is run by father-and-son team Federico and Nicola Oberto, together with their good friend Vladimiro. Their winemaking journey only started in 2007, when they purchased five hectares of vines in the hamlet of Berri, under the terracotta towers of La Morra.

They produce sensitive expressions of their organically certified vineyards, the jewel in the crown being Federico’s historic two 2.8 hectares of the mighty Rocche dell’Annunziata vineyard which sits in front of their cantina. It was tasting the wines from this vineyard that convinced Nicola to give up his successful career in finance and work the land with his father.

Trediberri epitomises the current dynamism of the region, proudly having no history or coat of arms, and making modern wines, rooted in the traditions of the past.

Langhe

Langhe is an all-encompassing zone lying due south of Alba and the River Tanaro in the province of Cuneo. Barolo and Barbaresco both lie within its boundaries.

Langhe is also the name of a regional DOC zone, which is used to classify wines made outside of the traditional Piemontese varietal scheme (Nebbiollo, Barbera, Cortese etc). Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc wines from the region are, for example, classified as Langhe DOC.


Langhe Nebbiolo
Effectively the ‘second wine’ of Piedmont’s great Barolo and Barbarescos, the Langhe Nebbiolo DOC is the only way Langhe producers can declassify their Barolo or Barbaresco fruit or wines to make an early-drinking style.

Langhe Nebbiolo can be released onto the market as soon as practicably possible either as a fresh, fruity wine made solely in stainless-steel, or later on having been aged in oak. The Langhe Nebbiolo DOC was created in 1994 along with a plethora of other Langhe DOC wines (so diluting their significance).

Unlike Nebbiolo d’Alba, Langhe Nebbiolo can be cut with 15 percent other red indigenous varieties, such as Barbera or Dolcetto. Leading, quality producers of Barolo and Barbaresco are more inclined to use 100 percent Nebbiolo, recognising its role as a stepping stone, using the fruit from vines that are either too young or poorly situated.

Larger producers tend to use the Langhe Nebbiolo DOC as a valve, declassifying wines destined for Barolo or Barbaresco when the market is difficult. Confusingly Langhe Nebbiolo can also be the declassified wine of Nebbiolo d’Alba.

Recommended producers: Giovanni Rosso di Davide Rosso , Mario Fontana , Ferdinando Principiano

Other Varieties

There are over 200 different grape varieties used in modern wine making (from a total of over 1000). Most lesser known blends and varieties are traditional to specific parts of the world.