Monthly Archives: June 2011

Remo Falconieri

It is so easy to become totally immersed in the world of Barbaresco and Barolo that one becomes blind to some of the delights just down the road: actually in the case of Caluso an 1 1/2 drive from Neive to the north of Torino. The ancient Erbaluce grape, whose name probably derives from Alba (dawn) Luce (light) has a copperish colour as it matures and is more or less confined to this corner of Piemonte centred on Caluso. It produces wine of  excellent acidity with an aroma of apples and grassy meadows and lends itself well to both still, spumante and passito. As Remo Falconieri of Cieck explains its production has had to adapt in recent years to compete with the growing popularity of other Piemontese wines like Arneis and Favorita. (more…)

Marco Piacentino of Socré

The perfect antidote to a recent miserable Saturday in Piemonte was a visit to the Socré cantina in Barbaresco. The family business dates back to the late 19th century when the vineyards, located just down the hill from Tre Stelle on the road to Alba, were bought by Marco’s great grandfather. For more than 100 years the production was sold to other bigger producers but just over 10 years ago Marco, an architect by training, decided to step up production and make his own wine. The cantina is currently  undergoing further expansion and reconstruction which will mean that all vinification will soon be transferred from its current site in Santa Stefano. (more…)

Sylvia Borgogno

It never ceases to amaze me how much good wine is available on our doorstep and how difficult it can be to find Barbaresco and Barolo abroad particularly in  the UK. I suppose importers and retailers focus principally on volume or price/reputation i.e sell lots at low margin or a few with decent mark ups. For anyone in Europe or the UK it provides the impetus to jump in the car, drive through the Alps and fill up direct! Through our friend Kerrie, whose daughters go to school with Sylvia Borgogno’s in Barolo, we popped in at lunchtime recently for some excellent local ham and cheese and a glass or 2 to wash it down. Website : Borgogno Francesco (more…)

Carlo Manera

It’s been a busy few weeks but we have still been able to fit in a few visits to our neighbours either because we have tasted wines we like or through introductions by friends. We have also been trying to decide on suitable wines for our daughter’s wedding in August which is an almost impossible task with so many considerations like taste, price, appearance and  the capacity of some of our family and friends. No names, but having decided to put the same number of bottles on each table, requests to be seated with non-drinkers is scary. (more…)