We were live for a VeroTalk from the Langhe at the Aldo Clerico estate and home in Monforte d’Alba. We visited with Aldo Clerico to talk about life in the Langhe, growing up in his hometown of Monforte d’Alba.
We tasted their stunning Langhe red wines. while two of our Vero Sommelier, Jacqueline Mitchell and Andrea Boscarino, visit with Aldo, who shared personal stories, families’ stories and, of course, wines, which are some of the best red wines in the world.
Order some of their wines and watch the recording to hear new stories, perspectives, and understand Aldo’s wines like Nebbiolo and Barolo in a whole new light!
Which Wines Did We Taste?
We tasted the full lineup of Aldo Clerico’s Langhe red wines:
You can purchase singly anything you want to taste along with Aldo, or try one of our sets like the Langhe Red Explorer Ta or the Barolo and Nebbiolo Ta. These sets have shipping included, as well as any add ones! So try a set and add on some extra wines to taste with the recording!
What wines from the Langhe did we taste?
This is one of the best Barolo wines from the Langhe in Piedmont Italy as well as a great value from one of the storied families of Barolo wineries. This Barolo red wine is the maximum expression of the nebbiolo grape from Aldo Clerico. With vineyards right next to those of Domenico Clerico Barolo vineyards, this Barolo is a good substitute for Burgundy wine.
This garnet colored artisan Barolo has red fruit, rose and spicy leather and tea leaf aromas with elegant structure, long finish leaving a silky mouthfeel. On the nose it is very intense while floral notes mix with typical vineyard scents of violets and red berries. On the palate, the violets blend with licorice flavors and noticeable tannins. A creamy texture from the oak barrels creates a pleasant mix of fresh yet complex flavors.
Tastes Like: Cherries and licorice
Farming & Winemaking Highlights: Biodynamic | Native Yeast Fermentation | Single Vineyard
Fun Facts: This is Aldo's first wine made from 5 different Barolo designated vineyards surrounding his home in Monforte d'Alba, all within the Bricco San Pietro MGA. He vinifies each vineyard and then does an assemblage, creating each vintage a unique expression of his nebbiolo vineyards. It is also made with native yeast fermentation, so can be called a natural wine.
Made with native yeast fermentation, this Barolo Serralunga is a special natural wine. Rich on the nose with dried violets typical of the nebbiolo grape, the bouquet is austere and profound with balsamic notes. Once sipped, the earthy texture is out of this world, which marries pleasantly with the structure, fruit and spice of this elegant red. Well accented tannins are soft and decanting is strongly recommended.
Tastes Like: Earthy Spices
Farming & Winemaking Highlights: Biodynamic | Native Yeast Fermentation | Single Vineyard
Fun Facts: This is a single vineyard Barolo from the Serralunga d'Alba village, known to produce the most age worthy Barolos.
Made from the sought-after Ginestra Barolo Cru, this single vineyard wine epitomizes the greatness of the nebbiolo grape from the Barolo wine region, in terms of structure, age-worthiness and fruit expression. The native yeast fermentation used in making this natural wine also helps bring out the special and sought after terroir of the Ginestra cru.
An intense garnet color, on the nose this Barolo tends towards red fruits, with a touch of balsamic notes. As it opens on the palate the elegant tannins harmonize with the acidity for an overall richness that creates a pleasant and enjoyable experience while sipping alone or with food.
Tastes Like: Balsamic Tabacco leaves
Farming & Winemaking Highlights: Biodynamic | Native Yeast Fermentation | Single Vineyard
Fun Facts: The Ginestra cru is very limited and only a few wineries have access to harvest from there. Aldo can thanks to his wife’s, Valentina’s, Conterno family vineyards.
Fun Facts: The hands on the bottle represent Aldo’s two daughters; for this reason he often says this is the wine closest to his heart.
Dogliani is known as the area which produces the best dolcettos in the world. This expressive structured yet easy-to-drink red wine has purple color, and floral bouquet with red plum notes. On the palate, this dolcetto opens pleasantly with notable tannins that are, however, not overpowering. It finishes with light almond notes. Coming from a single vineyard near Monchiero, this Dogliani is also make with native yeast fermentation.
It can be enjoyed just after bottling, yet it can better itself after a bit of aging in bottle.
Tastes Like: Juicy plump, plums
Farming & Winemaking Highlights: Biodynamic | Native Yeast Fermentation | Single Vineyard
Fun Facts: Originally called Dolcetto di Dogliani, local winemakers lobbied to change the denomination to simply ‘Dogliani’ to avoid the misconception that this wine was ‘little sweet’, as suggested by the translation of ‘dolcetto’ in Italian. They wanted this special dry red wine to be able to make its own name, and let its importance stand for itself.
A really good, soft and fleshy Barbera from Alba, from a single vineyard located in the Barolo designated wine region, one of the best areas for Barbera. Nice acidity and fruitiness with some spice, thanks to 14-16 month aging in new and used oak.
A very balanced and elegant wine on the nose, and a good body and structure on the palate with a pleasant and vibrant acidity. A rounded wine with fresh yet fruity notes that finish with a creamy texture thanks to the oak barrel aging.
Do you want to regularly purchase this wine? Check out the Subscribe and Save option available HERE!
Tastes Like: Pretty, ripe, dark cherries
Farming & Winemaking Highlights: Biodynamic | Native Yeast Fermentation | Single Vineyard
Fun Facts: With its aging, this Barbera d’Alba technically follows guidelines for a Barbera d’Alba Superiore, but winemaker Aldo Clerico decides to declassify it.
It is a wine with great structure and personality, an excellent expression of the nebbiolo vine. With a delicate floral bouquet of rose and violets, there is also a finish of licorice. Tasting it really brings out its elegance with pleasant yet decisive tannins that signal great potential for good aging.
As well, the native yeast fermentation used to make this nebbiolo natural wine lets you taste the natural terroir of the Langhe.
Tastes Like: Crunchy pink cherries
Farming & Winemaking Highlights: Biodynamic | Native Yeast Fermentation
Fun Facts: This Langhe Nebbiolo is known as a ‘Baby Barolo’, since it comes from Barolo vines, and is a great introduction to the Langhe wines, where some of the best reds in the world come from.
Tucked in the hills of Northern Italy is a land of rolling hills covered in vineyards known as the Langhe. While famous for the Italian King of red wines, Barolo, there are several other varieties that hail from the area that are just as delicious. Wines made with grapes from Dolcetto, Barbera, and Nebbiolo are prized from the Langhe, and native born producer Aldo Clerico has them all in his blood. In this set, try these less famous jewels of Piedmont and the Langhe: a dolcetto from Dogliani, a Barbera d’Alba, and a Langhe Nebbiolo… all from the cream of the crop vineyards in Piedmont.
Shipping in the Continental US is also included for this set, and extends to any other products you add to your order… so this is an excellent time to add on a Barolo or two from the Langhe.
These wines were featured in a VeroTalk with winemaker Aldo Clerico and Vero Chef Jacqueline Mitchell live from Italy in an authentic Italian Trattoria! Watch this virtual food and wine pairing event HERE.
Included in this box are:
Barolo is considered one of the most sought after red wines in the world. It’s made from the nebbiolo grape, which is know for having a great balance between acidity and tannins, and ages very gracefully.
This set contain a Barolo DOCG and ‘Baby Barolo’, a Langhe Nebbiolo made from Barolo vines, by Barolo area native, Aldo Clerico, in Monforte d’Alba.
Any red wine lover, especially one seeking hard-to-find treasures, would enjoy side by side to compare Aldo’s Barolo and his Baby Barolo, Langhe Nebbiolo! Barolo’s elegance, aging ability, and fullness of character all blend together to create a delicious red wine that lingers on the palate.
This special offer set has shipping included for the Continental US. Great as a gift!
Included in this box are: