Although
Barolo is probably the most renowned quality wine of Piedmont - so that, to
some, great Barolos are even better than so-called Supertuscans - it is not the
only DOCG wine they produce from Nebbiolo grapes (the variety whose name comes
from Italian word for “fog”) in Piedmont.
Barbaresco,
from a few municipalities in the Langhe area, and Carema, produced in the
province of Turin, are just two other great examples of what this grape variety
can do.
They both
can be made of 100% Nebbiolo grapes, and while no other variety is allowed in
the production of Barbaresco, up to a 15% of different locally grown red
varieties are allowed in making Carema.
Barbaresco
Barolo has
more relatives than one might know, one of which is literally pretty close:
Barbaresco.
From the
small town of Barolo to the one of Barbaresco, indeed, it’s about 13 miles (20
kilometers) as the crow flies. Not only the place Barbaresco is given birth in
is quite the same as Barolo, but its genetic makeup is the same: 100% Nebbiolo
grapes. The ages of these two DOCG appellations are also the same, as they were
both declared in 1966.
Yet, to
produce Barbaresco, grapes must grow in a specific area, which includes the
municipalities of Barbaresco, Neive and Treiso (both close to the one of
Barbaresco) only.
Grapes grown
in the hamlet of San Rocco (“frazione”, according to Italian administrative
division of territory) are also allowed in the production of Barbaresco, even
if San Rocco is part of the municipality of Alba: that’s because it once
belonged to the municipality of Barbaresco and many vineyards from whose grapes
Barbaresco is traditionally produced are planted there.
As it
happens with every top quality wine, Barbaresco’s production guidelines require
that only best terrains can be destined to the growth of Nebbiolo grapes from
which this wine will be produced, so vineyards are planted on sunny slopes
only.
A slight
difference between Barbaresco and Barolo occurs in mandatory aging period,
which, for Barbaresco, lasts 26 months, 9 of which must be spent in casks.
Suggested Barbaresco producers:
Suggested Barbaresco producers:
Carema
90 miles
(140 km) or so to the north of Barbaresco lies the small municipality of Carema
(the region is still Piedmont, but the province has changed: it’s Turin), where
they still make wine from Nebbiolo grapes.
Carema wine
is considered not so refined as Barbaresco, indeed its appellation is “only”
DOC, but it still is a quality wine made of at least 75% of Nebbiolo grapes,
even if the climate and the soil, here, don’t provide it with the same
complexity as they do in Langhe.
According to
its production guidelines, it can only be made in the municipality with the
same name, that is an area of about 6.5 squared miles (10 km).
Grapes are
grown on pergolas propped by stone pillars up (called “pilun” in local
dialect), this giving the landscape a typical look. Again, only rocky, sunny
slopes are allowed for growing Nebbiolo grapes from which Carema wine will be
produced.
According to
the period of aging, two kinds of Carema are distinguished: a plain one, which
has to age for at least two years, one of which in oak or chestnut barrels, and
“Riserva”, which must age one year more (while mandatory period in barrels
still consists of one year).
Carema wine
can boast a long history, as it was mentioned in two “wine guides” written in
the XVI century, both stating it was a noble wine for patricians and popes.
