Explore the Langhe
Map of Piemonte and the Langhe area. Photo courtesy of TripAdvisor.com.
In the northwestern Italy, in the region of Piemonte (aka Piedmont), lies a picturesque, hilly area known as the ‘Langhe’ (pronounced Lahn-ghey). Bordered by the Tanaro river, the area has been inhabited since Neolithic times, but flourished under Roman rule (fun fact: Emperor Pertinax was born in the Langhe).
The central hub of the Langhe is the town of Alba, which remained inhabited throughout medieval times, thanks to its sturdy Roman walls. In fact, the town became known as the ‘city of a hundred towers’ because of the sheer number of family towers crammed into such a small area. Over the years, towers fell, or were destroyed, when a family’s land was conquered by another family, or a family suffered a disgrace or loss of honor. Today, only a few remain, with the three tallest giving the city of Alba its distinctive skyline.
Surrounding Alba are hills filled with row upon row of neatly trimmed vineyards, the cause of the Langhe’s modern fame as a ‘Disneyworld’ of vineyards. Peeking through these hills and rows of vineyards are the Coattian Alps, bordering Piedmont with France, including the towering Monte Viso (often rumored to be the inspiration for the Paramount logo), taking an already postcard worthy location and making it stunning.
Despite the gorgeous views, and fun activities to do like hiking around vineyards and biking from village to village, the big draw in the Langhe are the wines, making some of the best red wines in the world, in particular the noble reds of Barolo and Barbaresco.
The vineyards of Aldo Clerico in the Langhe, looking out to the town of Diano d’Alba.
The Scoop on Barolo
Radiating out from the central hub of Alba, are a series of towns (also known as comune), each containing their own geographical history, composition, soil, exposure and everything else that combined make up ‘terroir’.
To the southwest of Alba, is the famous Barolo appellation which is spread across 11 towns, or comuni, with names like Barolo, Monforte d’Alba, Serralunga d’Alba, Castiglione Falletto, La Morra, etc. With the course of geological history (ancient oceanic movements, the changing course of the Tanaro river, etc.), each area has different soils that influence the Nebbiolo grape, used to make Barolo wine and considered one of Italy’s greatest native grapes, in different ways. A Barolo of Serralunga, for example, has a special and unique structure and is known to be the best for aging, thanks to the Serralunga area having the oldest known geography among the 11 Barolo appellation ‘comuni’. Monforte d’Alba, just south of Serralunga, is known for the most fruity Barolos while also having distinct structure and age-worthiness. Aldo Clerico’s home and estate winery is in Monforte d’Alba where he makes a Barolo from his home’s vineyards and a Barolo from the sought-after Ginestra Cru, coming from his wife, Valentina Conterno’s, family vineyards with literal roots in this very small sub zone of Monforte d’Alba.
View from one of Aldo Clerico’s Barolo designated vineyards in Monforte d’Alba in December looking over the Alps.
Beyond Barolo
The Langhe vineyards however, are home to more than just Barolos. Tucked into other towns, or comuni, are grape varieties, mostly red, that are every bit as enjoyable, such as Dolcetto, with the ‘best’ considered to be from the town of Dogliani. The Dolcetto grape is considered to have a natural balance of acidity and tannins along with fruit making it a quaffable and food friendly red wine which is popular with the locals. So much so that it inspired Patti Mitchell of Ojai Pacific View in California to try her hand at crafting Dolcetto state-side.
Additionally, we find wines such as Barbera whose grape has super high acidity making it almost a ‘requirement’ to have food with it. Fortunately Barbera reds from the Langhe, like Barbera d’Alba have great fruit to go along with the acidity making them delicious to enjoy also on their own.
It goes without saying, given that Barolos and Barbarescos are the most esteemed wines from the Langhe, that Langhe red wines made from 100% Nebbiolo, aka the Langhe Nebbiolo wine, is a good lower budget stand-by for a Barolo, like Aldo Clerico Langhe Nebbiolo, which essentially is a de-classified Barolo.
Taste the Langhe
There is so much to explore in the Langhe, from wines to cuisine, to history, and nature hikes. There is a quaint beauty to the area that causes many to fall in love with the area. Fall in love yourself and try the wines of Aldo Clerico from the heart of the Langhe, like his Barbera, Nebbiolo, Dogliani Dolcetto, Barolo, Barolo from Serralunga, and Barolo from the exclusive, much sought-after subzone of Ginestra. Or perhaps you would like to try a California Dolcetto from Ojai Pacific View.
Stay tuned to our blog, as our next post will have a surprisingly delicious traditional recipe from the Langhe which our resident chef is working on. Or you can check out a few Langhe recipes we already published or you can brush up on another Langhe delicacy: truffles! After all, the truffle season just started September 21st!
Get your Hands on Some Langhe Reds
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.
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.
California Wines Inspired by the Langhe
This rare find, small production Dolcetto grown from a one acre single vineyard in Ojai, California. This 2017 california Italian wine is Ojai Pacific View's inaugural vintage. This wine has aromas of fresh plums, notable acidity to balance out the fruitiness and rustic tannins.
This vintage is now sold under the main product page. GO HERE to find it.
This super small production of California Dolcetto was a late harvest in 2018 resulting in intense, ripe plums compared to its inaugural vintage of 2017, and with spice and tea aromas.
This mother-daughter winery keep hitting home runs with their ‘experimental’ one acre vineyard of dolcetto on a mountaintop in upper Ojai, California, which started with an idea they brought back with them from Piedmont Italy over 10 years ago. Their super small production Dolcetto experiment is a success, backed up with back-to-back gold medals on their 2019, 2020 and 2021 vintages, and then winning Double Gold and Best of Class in the International Womens Winemakers competition.
The 2020 vintage produced only 23 cases and was aged for over a year in neutral oak. It is fresh and juicy with rich wild berry cassis-like taste. It's an approachable yet complex with a mineral-saline finish. And now, coming off of their wins in 2019 and 2020, Ojai Pacific View has now released the latest edition of their California Dolcetto, the 2021 vintage.
Overall, the wine is a dark purple color, the nose is complex with a mix of plum, herbs, flint and vanilla spice. The fruit and terroir of this old world new world dolcetto red wine that really stands out, thanks to the high altitude and marine fossil soil of this wine estate in upper Ojai.
Here is what other sommeliers are saying about this wine:
Sommelier Marc R. Kauffman:
“Fine wine from Southern California! Italian varietals have been attempted in California with some successes and some not so good examples over the years. The 2019 California Dolcetto from Pacific View Vineyard and Winery is a stunning success! Darkly brooding in the glass, aromas of cedar, spice and vanilla offer a promise of seriously complex wine. Dark cherry and blackberry flavors mingle and dance in your mouth. The tannins are smoothly integrated, and the finish is so smooth I did not want it to end! Harmonious is the one word I would use to describe this wine. This is the third vintage from a very small plot of Dolcetto grapes growing high above the Pacific Ocean in a secluded spot north of Los Angeles. Available only in limited quantities direct to consumer or to a few select restaurants it is well worth the effort to search it out.”
The Dolcetto red wine, hailing originally from the Northern Italian region of Piemonte, is a juicy wine with a ripe acidity and flavors of plums. Ojai Pacific View, located on a mountaintop in California, has a unique position that allows great expression of their terroir to shine through in their Dolcetto.
In this Vertical Flight Tasting Duo, you can compare and contrast two vintages from the Ojai Pacific View vineyards in the 2020 and 2021 vintages. Shipping is also included in the Continental US for orders containing a VeroSet.
Ojai Pacific View and their Dolcetto have been awarded numerous gold medals, including a double gold and best of class, across multiple vintages.
Included in this box will be:
