Luigi Giordano Brut Nature Barbaresco 2016

The turreted, ancient village of Barbaresco (population 656) is perched atop a hill, like a terra cotta hawk overlooking the undulating vineyards of the Piedmont region of northern Italy. This picturesque hamlet, along with neighboring Barolo, is known worldwide for growing the Nebbiolo grape.  Its name is thought to derive from the Italian word nebbia, which means fog, and refers to the dense layer of clouds that snake above the Langhe River at harvest time.  Though there is a smattering of plantings in other winemaking countries, Nebbiolo vines are found almost exclusively in this corner of Italy. Unlike ‘international’ varieties such as Chardonnay and Merlot that travel well and can grow in many places, Nebbiolo is a homebody that doesn’t like to stray too far from its roots. Because of this, vineyards are surprisingly scarce.  In Italy, only about 12,700 acres of land are planted to Nebbiolo, which places it well outside of the top 20 most widely grown grapes in Italy (the number one spot is held by Sangiovese, with 136,000, if you’re curious). The law of supply and demand dictates that many of these fine wines are highly priced. Nebbiolo produces compelling red wines that need years of maturation in the cellar for optimum drinking. However, Nebbiolo also has many characteristics of Pinot Noir- high acid, red fruit- making it a top contestant for crafting delicious, traditional method sparkling wine.   

With their minimal plantings commanding high-priced red wine, most Barbaresco wineries have decided to abandon the production of sparkling Nebbiolo altogether. Sadly, it’s just not worth it, despite having been cherished by locals for centuries.  To date, there are only a handful of producers in Piedmont willing to continue to make these rare and exquisite sparkling wines. And, conveniently, they are designed for earlier drinking enjoyment while you patiently wait as your red Barbarescos mature in the cellar! We felt so lucky at ACME to discover a Barolo producer willing to continue producing such a time-honored, unique, and lovely sparkler. 

A stone's throw from Barbaresco's village square, the Luigi Giordano winery, and its vineyards were founded by Giovanni Giordano in the 1930s.  After decades of growing and selling grapes, Giovanni's son, Luigi, made the bold decision to vinify his own grapes in 1960.  'Luigi Giordano' is now a fourth-generation winery whose vineyards are planted in some of Barbaresco's most prestigious crus.  The Nebbiolo for their sparkling comes from vines that are between 30-35 years old, situated entirely within the Barbaresco commune.  Made in the 'Metodo Classico' (Traditional/Champagne Method), this juice has skin contact for a little over two hours, giving it its beautiful pink, rose-tinted color.  The bouquet is full of raspberries, wild cherry, citrus, red rose petals, and a hint of spice.  The palate is so, so juicy and yummy with bright flavors of red berries, tart plum, and just a note of forest floor giving it its Old World complexity.  The finish is very dry with a slightly tannic finish, a key characteristic of Nebbiolo.  This is the perfect wine for an apéritif paired with some fontina and prosciutto di Parma- salute!