Hi! I am Mark Middlebrook and I am here in the Paul Marcus Wines Cantina. And, I am going
to talk in this segment about Barolo, the king of the Nebbiolo-based wines from Piemonte
in northwest Italy. Barolo is a, what the Italians called a DOCG. Simply means an appellation.
A named style of wine. Made from one hundred percent Nebbiolo, a grape variety that is
indigenous to that part of Italy, northwest Italy. And, many people consider it to be
the greatest wine of Italy. Greatest type of wine of Italy. It is aged for a minimum
of three years. Typically in oak barrels, either smaller barrique French-style barrels
or larger bote. The more traditional larger casks. There are a variety of styles that
people use different kinds of barrels and so on. But, what distinguishes it is this
kind of profound expression of the grape variety Nebbiolo. Which along with Pinot Noir, and
Riesling, and perhaps Cabernet Sauvignon, makes some of the greatest wines in the world.
I have here two examples to kind of indicate a couple of differences. Both are made by
the same producer, the same winemaker and winery. Mauro Veglio is his name. It is a
small family winery as are most of the wineries, the producers in Piemonte. The main difference
between these two is the vineyard sources. This is a, what the Italians call Piemontes,
they call Barolo Normale. Normal Barolo. And, normale means usually a blend of different
vineyards, often somewhat younger vines, a little less complex. Although, still plenty
complex because it is Nebbiolo and because it is Barolo. But, the kind of entry level
Barolo if you will. The second wine, also from Mauro Veglio, is a single vineyard wine
from a vineyard called Vigneto Gaterra. Mauro actually makes three or four different single
vineyard wines, I just brought this one along. And, each vineyard has its own character.
As is true in Burgundy, in Germany for Riesling. Depending on the soil type, the climate, the
altitude, the exposure to the sun. All the things that we wrap into the French term terroir.
So, different wine made by the same person, in the same way, in the same year will taste
differently depending on the particular vineyard source that it comes from. More spicy, more
licoricey, more fruity, more tannin, less tannin, etcetera, etcetera. Different types
of flavors. I love to drink these wines. They are not inexpensive. Generally, retail in
the United States these days a Barolo runs between thirty five and a lot more than thirty
five dollars. Thirty five to eighty five maybe. It can be more than that. But, they are wonderful
wines to open at special occasion dinners. I like to decant them. They really, they are
wines that respond to air. So, pouring them into a decanter and then you get them in a
nice big wine glass that narrows at the top like this. You swirl and get some air into
it. Really really says beautiful Nebbiolo aromatics, which a lot of people describe
the aroma of Nebbiolo as tar and roses. That is, there is a dark, earthier, deeper, kind
of powerful component. Tar, earth, etcetera. And then, there is a really bright, floral,
aromatic, beautiful side. And, Nebbiolo is a great variety that really uniquely blends
those two notions of power and elegance. And, Barolo certainly makes some of the best expressions
of that wonderful combination.