Tag Archives: Piedmonte

A Gaja Barbaresco Vertical (of sorts) 2006 2010 2013

Posted on January 23, 2017 by waywardwine

Last week, I braved an ice-capped Portland armed with Barbaresco. I just wanted to show two vintages. But to be safe, I requested two samples in case one ended up corked. However, our warehouse accidentally picked 2006, 2010, and 2013. Each run about $230 a bottle. I decanted them that morning, put on my boots, and slid slowly to my first appointment. Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged barbaresco, drink, Food, food pairing, Gaja, italy, nebbiolo, Piedmonte, wine, wine job | Leave a comment

Dinner Alone with Daltetto Bubbly and Pier Barbaresco #MWWC11

Posted on July 30, 2014 by waywardwine

So, I’m alone. My wife has her brewing club tonight. Friends have probably made it home already. But the month ends tomorrow. I have to burn through my expense account. Stuck downtown, I decide to indulge my loneliness with wine and dinner.

Now, we prefer to cook and drink at home. Exploring the cutting edge of city cuisine costs a fortune. But I give it a chance just this once.

Sweaty thermometers still read 93 F. My palate begs for icy, dry bubbly. Wil suggests something off the list: Deltetto, Rosé Brut, Metodo Classico, Italy Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged #MWWC11, 11th Monthly Wine Writing Challenge, Azienda Pier, barbaresco, Blogging, Deltetto, friend, italy, Metodo Classico, Piedmonte, Rosé Brut, wine, Wine Writing | 1 Comment

Thirsty Thursday: Arneis, Seghesio, Russian River Valley, CA 2012

Posted on March 13, 2014 by waywardwine

Spring has sprung, at least where I live. Time for an odd, snappy white.

The grape in question is Arneis: roughly translated, it means “little ass”. Either the vine is a pain to manage, or the resultant wines tastes just as prickly. Etymology aside, the grape comes from NW Italy’s Piedmont.

Folklore claims Arneis drew birds away from the prestigious Nebbiolo vines of Barolo and Barbaresco. It made for a decent white. But once wines became 100% Nebbiolo, Arneis disappeared.

While Arneis declined in Italy, the Seghesio family left the Piedmont and started making Californian wine in 1895. By 1992, Pete decided to plant Arneis. He had already upped their game with hand-harvesting and small lot batches. Seghesio’s Zin and Sangiovese were garnering respect. But Arneis was a risky throwback. 26 vines remained more than any in the US for years.

Today, 8 acres of Russian River Valley, Sonoma County real estate fill our glasses. Continue reading →