Gianni Gagliardo - Nebbiolo d'Alba 2011
Nebbiolo
Piedmont, a region in northwest Italy, is home to some of the great Italian wines, including the ‘King of wines’, Barolo. However, it is also home to some lesser known labels, including Nebbiolo d’alba.
Similar to the French wine appellation system, Italy introduced its classification system in 1963. The 4 main tiers are DOCG (top tier with very strict rules), DOC (main tier in Italian wine), IGT (tier with a little more freedom) and Vino da Tavola (table wine). Nebbiolo d’alba is a DOC, created in 1970, encircling a large area around Alba, a town famous for its white truffle production. The region includes a total of 25 communes on both the northern and southern banks of the Tanaro river. N ebbiolo d’alba wines must contain 100% Nebbiolo grapes. The soils are sandier than the neighbouring Barolo and Barbaresco regions, which leads to less intense wines and slightly softer, which means they are much more approachable early on. They still have plenty of body and good ageing potential .
Today’s wine is from Gianni Gagliardo, a producer based in Piedmont’s Langhe zone. The winery dates back to 1847, when the Colla family first began working in the vineyards in the region, now in their 6th generation, they continue to produce high quality Nebbiolo based wines. Today’s wine is from the San Ponzio hill in Roero and is a single vineyard Nebbiolo. It is aged for 18 months in oak. The wine is ruby red in the glass with a nose of tobacco, liquorice and leathery notes. The palate is medium to full bodied with earthy and herbaceous flavours and some dark berries but it is the savoury flavours that dominate the palate. It also has well-structured tannins and good length.
Score: 88
Price:
- UK: £ 16.40 (Drinks & co)
- EU: €21.90
Wine specification:
- Grape variety: 100% Nebbiolo
- Region: Piedmont, northwest Italy
- Vintage 2011
- Ageing: 18 months in Oak
- Alcohol: 14%
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