Vietti

A house that is world-famous for its monumental Barolo crus produces one of the best Moscato d'Asti ever – this is not a contradiction, but a Piedmontese matter of course. The grapes come from forty-year-old Guyot vines in Castiglione Tinella, on soils rich in limestone and clay, where Moscato Bianco has been at home for generations. After gentle pressing and natural cold clarification, the must is stored at the lowest possible temperature without the addition of sulphites – and only fermented in batches in an autoclave when required. At around 5.5 per cent by volume, a cold shock stops the fermentation and thus preserves the natural residual sweetness and delicate aromas.

A vibrant purplish-red colour. The nose offers a fresh invitation: blackberry, raspberry and sour cherry, along with lilac, a hint of blueberry and that subtle, slightly bitter-almond note that makes Dolcetto so charming. On the palate, the Trevìe delivers on its promise: refreshing fruit, lively acidity and soft, finely textured tannins that leave you wanting more. The finish is clean and invigorating, with a subtle, mineral aftertaste that lingers for a long time. An incredibly appealing Dolcetto – charming, unpretentious, yet with enough depth to enjoy time and time again. SUPERIORE.DE

Vietti has given the Colli Tortonesi its own distinctive voice with no fewer than three interpretations of Timorasso: the classic Derthona, the single-vineyard Boscogrosso from Monleale – and, as the freshest and most immediate expression in the trio, this Piccolo Derthona. The name is a nod to Derthona, the ancient Roman name for Tortona, whilst the addition of "Piccolo" signifies its role as the most accessible expression of the grape variety in the range.

Arneis, the once almost forgotten "Barolo bianco", is experiencing a triumphant renaissance at Vietti and this example celebrates it at the highest level. Produced in Santo Stefano Roero from vines around 30 years old on limestone marl, processed cooler and bottled with care – all characterised by fresh clarity and lively elegance. The Arneis is fermented spontaneously in stainless steel without malolactic fermentation or wood in order to bring out its flowery freshness on the fine lees.

Trevìe is like a close friend within Vietti's Barbera family – open-hearted, charming and honest – and completely free of pretension. The grapes come from hilly vineyards around Asti and Alba. Hand-harvested, gently pressed and spontaneously fermented in stainless steel – the wine is then aged on its fine lees with subtle oak influence. In the glass, it displays a luminous ruby red, almost radiantly youthful. The nose is light and crisp: cherry juice, redcurrant, a hint of plum, spiced with violet blossom and a subtle touch of almond on the finish. On the palate, Trevìe remains elegant and juicy – with pure fruit, pronounced yet gentle acidity and delicate, refined tannins that work in the background to hold the wine together. A slightly mineral note on the finish rounds the whole off with style. A Barbera that brings both joie de vivre and character to the glass – perfect for a quick sip between meals, but equally at home at a fine dinner table. SUPERIORE.DE

2023 marks a quiet turning point in Castiglione Falletto: Eugenio Palumbo, at Vietti's side since 2011 and assistant to Luca Currado for many years, now has sole responsibility as cellar master – and the Perbacco is perhaps his most eloquent statement. This Langhe Nebbiolo brings together grapes from up to fifteen Barolo Cru vineyards and selected Barbaresco parcels in a single glass. Each parcel is vinified separately, matured for two years in oak, then Palumbo selects the lots for the assemblage – the rest matures further to become Barolo Castiglione.

Like an almost forgotten side branch of the great trunk of Piedmont, Freisa quietly tells stories of depth, character and identity. This long-established grape variety, closely related to the more famous Nebbiolo, produces wines full of structure, tannin and cool, dark fruit – and it is precisely this fascinating balance that we encounter here in its great version: dry, powerful and with an unmistakable profile. Freisa is not thought of as a marginal curiosity, but always as an independent voice – with the flavour, dignity and substance of a great, but with a temperament all of its own: deep, enigmatic and charismatic.

The relatively new Colli Tortonesi DOC is probably still one of Piedmont's least well-known wine-growing regions. The term 'Derthona' is already being used as an umbrella term. It is the old name for Tortona, a small town in the centre of the DOC. The indigenous white grape variety Timorasso led a rather obscure existence for many years, but today some winemakers are already calling it the "white Barolo". This is due, on the one hand, to the wines' great complexity and finesse, and on the other, to their outstanding ageing potential. Furthermore, the grapes often vary in size and ripeness at harvest, which makes the selection process – just as with the great Nebbiolo crus – a major challenge.

A wine with character and a distinct identity: the grapes come from the renowned Scarrone vineyard, situated directly below Castiglione Falletto – a warm south-east-facing slope with calcareous marl soils. Vietti cultivates the vineyard according to organic principles (uncertified) and vinifies the Vigna Scarrone with respect for the grape variety and terroir. Temperature-controlled maceration is followed by ageing in large casks and used barriques.

The relatively young DOC Colli Tortonesi is probably still one of the least known wine regions in Piedmont. The term Derthona is already used as a generic term. It is the old name for Tortona, a small village in the centre of the DOC. The indigenous white grape variety Timorasso led a shadowy existence for many years, but today some winegrowers are already calling it the "white Barolo". This is due to its great complexity and finesse on the one hand and the excellent ageing potential of the wines on the other. In addition, the grapes often vary in size and ripeness during the harvest, which makes selection a major challenge, just as with the great Nebbiolo crus.

As always, Castiglione is mainly based on grapes from Ravera, with smaller portions from Ginestra, Mosconi, Bricco Ravera (in Monforte), Le Coste, Costabelle, Meriame, Briccolina and Codana. Every year it is a dazzling wine that shows how convincing even an "entry-level wine" from a top producer can be. Rich, voluptuous and explosive, it has enormous fullness and resonance from the very first sip. On the nose, bright red cherry and plum fruit, wild flowers, mint, blood orange and spices. Its silky tannins are accompanied by a beautiful, mentholated brightness. A real charmer! SUPERIORE.DE

As always, Vietti's outrageously priced "entry-level" Barolo (formerly Castiglione) is based mainly on grapes from Ravera, with smaller portions from Ginestra, Mosconi, Bricco Ravera (in Monforte), Le Coste, Costabelle, Meriame, Briccolina and Codana. Ruby red colour of medium intensity. The nose is explosive, opulent, persuasive and immediate. Notes of plum, red and ripe black cherry, black cherry, rose petals and tobacco are perceptible. The palate is classic, rich, powerful, with notes of alpine herbs and a leathery finish. The tannin is already well integrated. Especially in the peak year 2021, this wine is an absolute insider tip in the winery's incredibly terrificBarolo line-up every year, and not just because of its price. SUPERIORE.DE

When Eugenio Palumbo, Vietti's cellar master, described the summer of 2022, he came up with a phrase that has been echoing through the Langhe ever since: "Barolo grapes are usually harvested in wellies, not Crocs." A hot, dry year – harvested 15 days earlier than usual, and the decisions made in the vineyard made all the difference. As in every year, the Barolo is made from grapes sourced from around twenty different plots – the portions remaining after selection for the single-vineyard wines. In 2022, there was a rare twist: the Brunate, Cerequio and Villero vineyards were not released as separate MGA wines this time. It was therefore not the second selection, but their entire harvest that went into this wine. Palumbo himself calls the result "a sort of super single-vineyard" – and he's right.

A Barbera with a mysterious appearance – as if one were gazing into a dark, purplish-red abyss from which concentrated essences rise. Scarrone Vigna Vecchia comes from vines that are decades old – some planted around 1918 – in the Scarrone vineyard near Castiglione Falletto. In the cellar, spontaneous fermentation takes place in stainless steel, followed by around 16 months' ageing in predominantly French barriques, where the judicious use of oak subtly enhances the terroir.

The extremely complex Barbera d'Asti La Crena comes from vines up to 90 years old in the heart of the Nizza Monferrato region and smells of ripe red fruits, hay and pastries. The full-bodied, warm taste lingers long with plenty of dark fruit, well-proportioned acidity and fine cocoa tones. SUPERIORE.DE

Every year, La Crena is one of the best and most refined Barbera wines that Piedmont produces. The vines in the Vigna del Nove parcel date back to the 1930s. This vintage will also need many years to develop its full expressiveness, but that's the way it is and we love this crazy development potential so much. La Crena is creamy and rich in the glass, dense, very concentrated with an abundance of layers of fruit that only develop fully with further years of ageing and make for an energetic, exciting wine. SUPERIORE.DE

A wine with origin and signature: The grapes come from the renowned Scarrone vineyard directly below Castiglione Falletto – a warm south-east exposure with calcareous marl soils. Vietti cultivates the vineyard organically and vinifies the Vigna Scarrone with respect for the grape variety and terroir. Temperature-controlled maceration is followed by ageing in large barrels and used barriques – an approach that promotes both structure and elegance.

First bottled in 1967, Roncaglie (formerly Barbaresco Masseria) comes from a vineyard in Bricco di Neive and is essentially vinified and aged like a Barolo. Since the 2018 vintage, it now comes from a small parcel that used to belong to the Socré Barbaresco winery and is now deliberately released a year later to ensure greater harmony and balance. Floral and spicy notes merge with a core of rich, generous fruit in a generous Barbaresco based on pure resonance. Barbaresco Roncaglie is vinified and matured in the same way as Vietti's single-vineyard Barolos. This means long fermentation, six months in French oak and more than two years in barrique. This, together with the broad shoulders of Neive, results in a noble Nebbiolo with clear hints of Barolo and impressive depth. SUPERIORE.DE

As always, Castiglione is mainly based on grapes from Ravera, with smaller portions from Ginestra, Mosconi, Bricco Ravera (in Monforte), Le Coste, Costabelle, Meriame, Briccolina and Codana. Every year it is a dazzling wine that shows how convincing even an "entry-level wine" from a top producer can be. Rich, voluptuous and explosive, it has enormous fullness and resonance from the very first sip. On the nose, bright red cherry and plum fruit, wild flowers, mint, blood orange and spices. Its silky tannins are accompanied by a beautiful, mentholated brightness. A real charmer! SUPERIORE.DE

First bottled in 1967, Roncaglie (formerly Barbaresco Masseria) comes from a vineyard in Bricco di Neive and is essentially vinified and aged like a Barolo. Since the 2018 vintage, it now comes from a small parcel that used to belong to the Socré Barbaresco winery, and it is now deliberately brought to market a year later to ensure greater harmony and balance.

As always, Vietti's outrageously priced "entry-level" Barolo (formerly Castiglione) is based mainly on grapes from Ravera, with smaller portions from Ginestra, Mosconi, Bricco Ravera (in Monforte), Le Coste, Costabelle, Meriame, Briccolina and Codana. Ruby red colour of medium intensity. The nose is explosive, opulent, persuasive and immediate. Notes of plum, red and ripe black cherry, black cherry, rose petals and tobacco are perceptible. The palate is classic, rich, powerful, with notes of alpine herbs and a leathery finish. The tannin is already well integrated. Especially in the peak year 2021, this wine is an absolute insider tip in the winery's incredibly terrificBarolo line-up every year, and not just because of its price. SUPERIORE.DE