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Barolo
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Classification: DOCG (Denominazione di Origine Controllata e Garantita - Controlled and Guaranteed Denomination of Origin)
Color: garnet red with orange reflections
Production zone: Piedmont
Minimum alcohol content: 13%
Varieties used: Nebbiolo of the Michet, Lampia and Rosé subvarieties |
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A WORK OF ART RATHER THAN JUST A WINE |
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This is one of Italy's great wines, granted DOCG status in recognition of its unique qualities. This King of Italian wines owes its good fortune to the insight of the noble Marchesa di Barolo, Giulia Falletti, who in the early 1800s succeeded in making a dry wine of what was then a semisweet one, produced using the Nebbiolo variety. A veritable revolution in which Count Camillo Benso di Cavour was also indirectly involved. After he introduced the wine to the Savoy household, the ruling royals were soon converted into great advocates of the new production method.
Italian history aside, it takes more than the right variety of grape to make Barolo: wine regulations must be respected in full, and these state that the wine must be aged for a minimum of 3 years, of which at least 2 in oak or chestnut casks. In order to bear the riserva label it must be aged for no less than five years, a period in which the bouquet of this highly structured yet well-balanced wine takes on a floral and fruity nose, with a hint of liquorice.
In order to improve the wine, younger Barolo can be added to identical but older Barolo and viceversa to a maximum degree of 15%, while it is prohibited to use any additional qualifying term with the name Barolo, including the adjectives "extra", "fine", selezionato (select) and similar terms.
On the menu Barolo tends to be associated with braised dishes, but it improves the flavour of game generally, from hare in civet (with red wine) to pheasant in salmě. When it comes to first courses, it is excellent with a plate of Lasagne with ragout. It is also good with hard cheeses, but reaches its maximum expression when drunk as a meditation wine, that is to say, on its own rather than as accompaniment to a meal.
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