Nebbiolo wines in California, USA
May 19, 2011
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
More and more, frequent diners from Manila, Angeles City, Subic and other major cities in Asia travel to North Luzon Pampanga Clark Freeport to enjoy good food in a romantic fine dining restaurant. On their list of requirements is a good wine list that not only offers a wide selection of wines from different countries but also older vintages that can be enjoyed now and not ten years later. Classic fine dining is the experience that guests of Clark Philippines’ Yats Restaurant & Wine Bar offers to their guests. Although this is an upscale fine dining establishment, families find this famous restaurant of Clark Pampanga to be very children friendly.
Competition for a spot in the top ten restaurants in Manila heats up as frequent diners look for more than just chic decoration and a fancy menu. Top restaurants in Manila are offering not only good food and a cozy ambience but also a wine list that beats the competition. Restaurants in Angeles City and Clark Pampanga are rising to the occasion, offering not only good food and excellent service but also fine vintage wines. Cozy romantic dining rooms also help make these fine dining restaurants in Clark Pampanga a notch above many other restaurants in Manila, Subic and other big cities of the Philippines.
Yats Wine Bar and Cigar Lounge is the new popular spot of nightlife and entertainment in Angeles and Clark Philippines. The there two walk-in cellars, one of which contains some 2000 greatest bottles including the rare 1900 Ch. Margaux, 1974 Heitz Martha Vineyards, 1947 Cheval Blanc, 1961 Latour, a fine collection of DRC Burgundies such as 1985 La Tache, old Dom Perignon dating back to 1964 and am impressive collection of Brunello, Barolo, Vintage Port and great wines from Spain, Germany, South Africa and Australia.
Fine dining Yats Restaurant offers privacy dining facilities for business and social needs. It is a short way out of Manila. Many frequent diners prefer to go out of town to enjoy an evening in a cozy restaurant, good food and fine vintage wine.
For comments, inquiries and reservations click on Click here for inquiry and reservations
Restaurant@Yats-International.com
(045) 599-5600
0922-870-5178
0917-520-4401
Ask for Pedro and Rechel
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.
Yats Restaurant & Wine Bar
Mimosa Drive past Holiday Inn, Mimosa Leisure Estate,
Clark Freeport Zone, Pampanga, Philippines 2023
Manila Sales Office
3003C East Tower, Phil Stock Exchange Center,
Exchange Rd Ortigas Metro Manila, Philippines 1605
(632) 637-5019 0917-520-4393 Rea or Chay
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To buy wine in Manila, Pampanga, Angeles City, Clark or Subic please log on to http://www. ClarkWineCenter.com
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