Box Of the Month: The Battle Of Barolos

£299.00

It is no secret that Barolo has, and always have a special place in the heart of Passione Vino. How could it not? A winemaking region that shares the same core principles: terroir, heritage and dedication, not to mention passion. The emphasis on creating wines of the utmost quality from a single varietal (Nebbiolo) yet variety that reflects the whims of the winemaker is equally something that appeals to our sensibilities.

 

Over the past century Barolo has seen its fair share of metamorphoses. The lynchpin is of course the battle between Traditional and Modernist approaches that took off in the 1980s. To take it to the essentials, the debate surrounds the ageing vessel. Slavonian oak botti have been traditionally used with the philosophy that long ageing in barrel softens the tannins and acidity typical of Nebbiolo. During the 1980s inspired by approaches used elsewhere there was a concentrated move to introduce smaller French barriques in order to reduce the time spent ageing due to more of the wine being in contact with oak.

 

The corresponding result is that ‘Modern’ barolos are fresher, more fruit forward and can be drunk younger. And, in turn that those wine producers who uphold the Traditional methods are still proponents of long ageing both in botti and in bottle.

 

This Box of the Month is dedicated to the ‘Battle of Barolo’. Four wines, two from each side,  representing the Traditionalists and the Modernists. Who will win? We can’t say, but we do know that this will be quite the showdown. 


WINES

  • Eraldo Viberti Barolo DOCG (2019) – Piedmont
  • Conterno Fantino Barolo VIGNA PRESSENDA DOCG (2019) - Piemonte
  • Sergio Molino Barolo BRICCO ROCCA DOCG (2018)

  • Benevelli Barolo LE COSTE DI MONFORTE DOCG (2019) - Piemonte

 

Read The Blog BEYOND THE BAROLO WARS