Nebbiolo wines in California, USA
January 30, 2011
Philippines wine supplier Manila wine shop discusses wine by the grape variety Nebbilo.
Ask any Italian and he will tell you that Italy’s finest wine is Barolo, made from the Nebbiolo grape in a tiny area of southeast Piedmont. These wines are also among Italy’s oldest. Pliny the Elder was singing their praises before the destruction of Pompeii by the eruption of Mt. Vesuvius in A.D. 79. That’s centuries before any significant wine appeared in France. But this very distinguished varietal has had a dismal track record in California. Nevertheless, an increasing number of California wineries are offering it and we thought it time to look in on their recent endeavors.
THE GRAPE
In its native soil the Nebbiolo grape produces wines that are among the world’s longest lived. We like to drink California Cabernet Sauvignon no earlier than 5 years after the vintage. Bordeaux reds need much longer, typically 10 years. But Barolo should be left alone for 15-20 years! This is due to the high acidity and firm tannins that always inform this wine. Lesser bottlings of Piemontese Nebbiolo, such as Nebbiolo d’Alba, will mature much faster, but will never reach the depth of expression we find in the great Barolos and Barbarescos.
The Nebbiolo grape is surprisingly thin skinned, like Pinot Noir, and its product is a garnet or brick colored juice that belies its strong tannins. Nebbiolos from the Piedmont are in some ways stylistically opposite to California wines, lacking the plush mouth-filling fruitiness and moderate acids that characterize most California red wines. An added complication is the fact that around 95% of the wines purchased in California are intended to be consumed within two weeks’ time, not laid down for a decade or more.
The question remains: Can Nebbiolo grapes be successfully grown in California? And will the resulting wines follow the Piemontese model, requiring long ageing? Or can we produce successful wines in the California style with this finicky grape?
THE ITALIAN MODEL
Our Suite 101.com tasting panel chose three Barolos from the splendid 2000 and 2001 vintages and one from the 1998 vintage to use as models. They represented price points from $40 to $75 and all have been rated at 92 points or above. They were:
1998 Mauro Veglio “Arborina”
2000 Elio Grasso “Vigna Chiniera”
2001 Azelia San Rocco
2000 Pira “Cannubi”
We found these wines very similar in style. As expected, the most expensive example (Pira) offered the greatest complexity, greatest depth of layered fruit, and wonderful spice component along with bright acids and chewy tannins. Clearly, a connoisseur’s wine.
Source: http://www.suite101.com/article.cfm/california_wine/118518
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Getting to this fine dining restaurant of Angeles City Clark Freeport Zone Pampanga Philippines
How to get to this fine-dining restaurant in Clark Philippines? Once you get to Clark Freeport, go straight until you hit Mimosa. After you enter Mimosa, stay on the left on Mimosa Drive, go past the Holiday Inn and Yats Restaurant (green top, independent 1-storey structure) is on your left. Just past the Yats Restaurant is the London Pub.
