Wine Along The 101
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    • 2023 Articles >
      • Simply Italian Great Wines US Tour 2022, A Brief Look at the Complex World of Italian Wine
      • A Night of Sicilian Wine, Spotlighting Cambria and Madaudo Wineries
      • Yealands Wines, “Think Boldly, Tread Lightly”, Leading the World Toward Sustainable Winemaking
    • 2022 Articles >
      • Further Defining the Single Vineyard Cru Wines of Barolo and Barbaresco, the Rise of the MGA
      • The Barolo Cru Wines of Beni di Batasiolo
      • Pyros Wines Sparks World-Class Malbec
      • AlloraVino Imports, a Love Affair with Italian Wine
      • Maisons Marques & Domaines Wine Portfolio: Prestige, Glamour and Good Taste for the Holidays
      • The Original Balsamic Vinegar of Modena PGI, a Condiment and a Culture
      • Rocca delle Macìe, Taking Chianti Classico to New Heights
      • Alluring and Iconic, The World of Chianti Wines
      • Paso Robles Weaves a Thrilling Tapestry of World-Class Wine
      • LXV Wines, The Spice of Paso Robles
      • The Mouthwatering Sauvignon Blancs of Chile
      • The Wines of Portugal, Discover a World of Difference
      • Domaines Albert Bichot, An Exceptional Approach to Burgundian Wine
      • The Wines of Abruzzo Undergo a Renaissance of Quality
      • Ketcham Estate, Exceptional Wines From The Heart of the Russian River Valley
      • La Rioja Alta, S.A., Innovation and Tradition That Stands the Test of Time
      • Vega Sicilia Celebrates 40 Years of Winemaking Excellence
      • Planeta of Sicily Embraces the Past While Reaching For the Future
      • The Spirit of Renaissance is Alive and Well in “South of Somewhere”
      • Gambero Rosso Returns to LA, With the Best of Italian Wines
      • Falanghina and Aglianico del Taburno, Sannio's Ancient Wine Stars
      • Tablas Creek Vineyard Embraces Regenerative Organic Farming
    • 2021 Articles >
      • Make Merry With Domaine Bousquet Sparkling Wines
      • Discover These Enchanting Italian Wines, From the Fog of Piedmont to the Island Breezes of Sardinia
      • Rodney Strong Vineyards and Winery, Revitalizing an Iconic Brand
      • Thanksgiving Tips for the Best Wine and Food Pairing
      • Escape to Paso Robles, a Wine Country Oasis
      • Escape to Paso Robles, a Wonderland of Wine
      • Smith-Madrone Wines, a Napa Valley Pioneer Celebrates Fifty Years of Excellence
      • Oregon’s Willamette Valley, the Land of Pinot Noir
      • Irvine & Roberts Vineyards, Exceptional Pinot Noir and Chardonnay from Southern Oregon
      • BARRA of Mendocino Wines, an Original Organic Wine Play
      • The Opulent and Thrilling Wines of Denner Vineyards
      • L’Ecole No. 41, Expressive Wines That Pass the Test of Time With Flying Colors
      • France's Loire Valley, a Fairytale Land of Storybook Castles and Magical Wines
      • Craft Wine, Shining the Spotlight on America’s Small Wine Producers
    • 2020 Articles >
      • Margerum Wine Company, the Nexus of Sublime Santa Barbara County Wines
      • Catena Zapata, Malbec on High
      • Long Meadow Ranch, the Circle of Life in a Glass of Wine
      • Fontanafredda Barolo Forges a New Future
      • Bordeaux Wine 2017, Surprises in a Challenging Vintage
    • 2019 Articles >
      • The Rising Wine Country of Southern Oregon's Rogue Valley
      • Discover Ashland and the Rogue Valley, Southern Oregon's Serenade to the Good Life
      • Napa Valley Grille, New Fall Menu Paired with European Wines
      • Embrace Your Wine Geek with PRIE Winery & Vineyards
      • Castello di Albola, Chianti Classico on High
      • Nicolas-Jay Wines, the Journey of a Lifetime
      • The Expanding Complexity of New Zealand Wine
      • Prosecco DOC, Splendor in the Glass
      • On the Oregon Wine Trail
      • Albariño and Rioja Star in Spain’s Great Match
      • Exciting and Eclectic, the Wines of Alentejo
      • Blaufränkisch Propels the Red Wines of Austria Into the Spotlight
      • Fascinating Greek Wines of the Cava Spiliadis Collection
      • Revolution In Rioja Wine
    • 2018 Articles >
      • Temecula Valley Celebrates 50 Years of Winemaking
      • The Stellar Wines of Sardinia
      • Italian Wines Prescribed by Doctor Wine
      • The Alluring Wines of Tunisia
      • Gambero Rosso’s Top Italian Wines for 2018
      • Velenosi Wines, From Le Marche to the World
      • Sauvignon Blanc, a Rising Star in Napa Valley
      • Frank Family Vineyards Celebrates 25 Years
      • Markus Wine Co., Sleek New Red Wines Up the Ante for Lodi Reds
      • Lodi Wine, Over 100 Varieties Strong
      • Ramona Valley Wine Country, an Up and Coming Wine Region
      • Hertelendy Vineyards, the Pursuit of Excellence
      • Napa Valley Wine, Nirvana in a Bottle
      • Wine Stroll: Explore Downtown Paso Robles Wineries
      • The Beautiful Shades of Lodi Rosé Wines
      • Doubling Down on Gold Medal Wines: The San Francisco International Wine Competition
      • The Exotic Wines of Lebanon
      • Australian Wines, Rediscover the New Frontier
      • New Zealand Wines, Expanding beyond Sauvignon Blanc
      • Visit France in 2018, a Feast of Food, Wine, Culture and History
      • Bordeaux Wine 2015, A Very Good Year
      • Portugal's Treasure Chest of Wines
      • Livermore Valley, California’s Original Wine Country Reborn
      • Concannon and Wente Vineyards, California’s Pioneers of Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay
      • Livermore Valley Wine Country, the Future Looks Bright
    • 2017 Articles >
      • Viña Ardanza Rioja Turns 75, an Enchanting Wine Gets Even Better
      • The VIP Sparkle of Prosecco Superiore
      • Lodi Wine Country, Seriously Good Wine From A to Z
      • Lodi Wine Country, Old Vines and Great Wines
      • Lodi Wine Country, Winegrowers and Winemakers Focused on the Future
      • Lugana White Wine, Better With Age
      • Santa Barbara Winemakers Road Trip to LA
      • Sweetzer Cellars, a Life Changing Journey of Wine
      • Lugana and Valpolicella, the Yin and Yang of the Veneto
      • Three R’s of Summer Wine, Rosé, Riesling, and Ramato
      • Familia Martínez Bujanda, Wines Without Borders
      • Codorníu Cava, the Ars and Anna Collection
      • New and Exciting Wines from the 2017 Santa Barbara Vintners Spring Weekend Celebration
      • Sensual Delights on Display at Savor Italy Los Angeles
      • Pizza and Franco Pepe, Italy’s Best Comes to LA
      • Montes Wines, Wisdom in Wine From Father to Son
      • Passionate Pinot Noir Lovers Unite at the 2017 World of Pinot
      • Vignalta, Wines of the Highest Order
      • Santa Lucia Highlands Sensational Wines
      • Gambero Rosso’s Top Italian Wines for 2017
      • Law Estate Wines: Quality by Design
      • Taittinger and Calvisius: Champagne and Caviar Dreams
      • Riding High on American Rhone Wines, The Rhone Rangers LA Tasting
      • Discover Monterey Wine Country, wine and so much more
      • Wines of Portugal, the Perfect Dinner Companion
      • Gruet's Enchanting Sparkling Wines
    • 2016 Articles >
      • The Art of Italian Living, SoCal Style
      • Wines of Alsace: Perfect for the Holidays
      • Oso Libre Winery; Vines, Wines, and Angus Beef
      • Best Wines for Thanksgiving
      • Simply Italian Great Wines US Tour Sweeps Through Los Angeles
      • Santa Barbara Winemakers Road Trip: Chardonnay
      • Santa Barbara Winemakers Road Trip: Pinot Noir
      • Santa Barbara Winemakers Road Trip: Rhône Varietals
      • Santa Barbara Winemakers Road Trip: Bordeaux Varietals
      • Achaval-Ferrer, Exceptional Wines from Argentina
      • Celebration of Harvest Grand Tasting 2016 Highlights
      • The Celebrity Sparkle of Ferrari Trento Wines
      • Santa Barbara Wine Country’s Celebration of Harvest 2016
      • The Garagiste Festival, Off the Beaten Path Wines
      • Explore SLO Wine Country, Central California’s Hidden Gem
      • Byron Winery, The Grand Pinot Noir Experiment
      • Crocker & Starr Wines, Organically Elegant
      • Escape to Santa Maria Wine Country
      • The Elegant White Wines of Domäne Wachau
      • Champagne Palmer: The New Champagne on the Block
      • Holman Ranch & Vineyards: Making Memories & Wine at Romantic California Hideaway
      • Luminous Wines of France's Loire Valley
    • Examiner.com Articles >
      • Alma Rosa Winery & Vineyards: Wines Without Compromise
      • All Stars of Pinot Noir Rock the 2016 World of Pinot
      • Ampelos Wines' Biodynamic Brilliance
      • Artisan Uprising: Blood Into Wine
      • Bodegas Beronia Rioja: The Magic of Oak
      • Crawford Family Wines: Unlocking Varietal Flavor
      • Dolin Malibu Estate Vineyards' Chardonnays and Pinot Noirs Shine Bright
      • Hahn Family Wines: Santa Lucia Highlands' Sweet Spot
      • Kimmel Vineyards: Good Wine Flows from Challenging Times
      • Larner Vineyard: Sweet Spot for Syrah and Grenache
      • LOCA for Lodi Wine
      • Lompoc Wine Ghetto
      • Sanford Winery & Vineyards, Delicious Wines That Tell a Tale
      • The Diverse and Divine Wines of Santa Barbara County
      • Santa Barbara Urban Wine Trail
      • The Stellar Wines of California's Sta. Rita Hills
      • Skinner Vineyards, Destiny and Determination
      • Wines of Portugal, The Art of the Blend
  • Wine Reviews
    • The Dynamic Lavico Etna Wines of Duca di Salaparuta
    • The Sangiovese Stars of San Felice Wines
    • Lucky Rock Wine Co. 2021 Sauvignon Blanc, in Can and Bottle
    • Coen Malbec Reserve 2019, a New World Wine with Old World Sensibilities
    • Sangre de Toro Rosé, A Light and Bright Summer Thirst Quencher
    • Summer and Sauvignon Blanc, Lucky Rock Wine Co. Style
    • Lucky Rock Wine Co. County Cuvée Pinot Noir 2019
    • Monte Velho, Fascinating Wines and Value-Priced
    • Grassl Glasses Add Depth to Wine Enjoyment
    • Domaine Bousquet Sparkling Rosé Brut Makes Everyday a Holiday
    • Festive Ferrari Trento Sparkling Wines For All Occasions
    • Bodegas CARO, the Best of Both Worlds
    • Kosher Wines For the Jewish High Holidays Are Highly Recommended Anytime of Year
    • Oak Farm Vineyards, a Rainbow of Delicious Lodi Wines
    • Lucky Rock Wine Co. Sauvignon Blanc 2019
    • Ron Rubin Wines, The Dream Series
    • Lucky Rock Wine Co. County Cuvée Pinot Noir 2018
    • Lucky Rock Wine Co. Sauvignon Blanc 2018
    • Crus Bourgeois Bordeaux, Expressive Wines at Everyday Prices
    • Légende Collection of Bordeaux Wines
    • Five Contemporary California Wines To Try
    • Alternative Sparkling Wines For a Celebration
    • A Toast to Prosecco Superiore
    • Celebrate with this Pair of Spanish Red Wines
    • A Quartet of Summer Red Wines
    • Spanish Albariño, a Wine For All Seasons
    • Ciù Ciù Wines, Quality That Shines Through
    • A Trio of Red Wines for Holiday Merrymaking
    • Terre de la Custodia Montefalco Rosso 2012
    • The Sultry Arnaldo Caprai Collepiano Montefalco Sagrantino
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    • Garnacha Wines from DOP Cariñena, Beautiful Bang for the Buck
    • A Pair of Greek Wines for a Spring Feast
    • A Dynamic Duo of Sassy Spanish White Wines
    • Anderra Carménere
    • Artesa Chardonnay/Pinot Noir
    • Avignonesi Grandi Annate
    • Château Saint-Maur Rosé
    • La Miranda de Secastilla, Old Vine Garnacha Gems
    • Intriguing Israeli Wines
    • Leviathan
    • Domaines Paul Mas Wines Trio
    • Nobilo Sauvignon Blanc, intensely refreshing and delicious
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    • Stay Cool With These Two Charming White Wines
  • Events
    • Garagiste Wine Festival: Urban Exposure 2022 Highlights Hidden California Wine Gems
    • Temecula Valley Balloon & Wine Festival 2019
    • World of Pinot Noir 2019, A Magical Mystery Tour
    • Journey to Planet Pinot at the 2018 World of Pinot Noir
    • Great Wines of Italy Comes to LA
    • Wine Along the Beach at Garagiste Wine Festival 2017
    • Santa Barbara Vintners Spring Weekend Celebration 2017
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Shrouded in the fog that gives Nebbiolo its name, the rolling hillsides of Piemonte in northwestern Italy are legendary for their wines.  Barolo reigns supreme here, and the “King of Wines” has its noble roots in Fontanafredda Estate & Winery, whose founders literally coined the phrase.  Fontanafredda is steeped in history, but is evolving towards the future.  Their Barolo wines reflect modern sensibilities in taste and production values, but at its core, beats the heart of tradition, capturing its complex essence that is so hauntingly beautiful.
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If you’ve ever tasted a wine that grips your imagination and colors your palate for the rest of your life, you’ve experienced an epiphany, a wine that makes you understand what all the hype is about.  Barolo is one of those wines, distinctive in its complex expression of the Nebbiolo grape, haunting your sense memory with its elegant floral and anise aromas and extreme structure.  Robust in its acidity, alcohol and tannins, it’s often described as “tar and roses”, with aromas and flavors that embrace raspberry, red cherry, roses, licorice, allspice, potpourri, truffles, and cocoa.  The pale garnet color that Barolo is known for can belie how intense the tannins can be, referred to as “mouth-drying”, and usually requires at least 10 years of aging to soften.  Barolo wines are different in their overall expression, depending on the soils that the fruit is grown on.  Sandy, limestone-rich soils yield more elegant wines, rich in color and aromas, with more red fruit flavors, fresh and ready to drink sooner.  Clay and marl soils produce powerful wines, capable of aging for decades, but require more time in the bottle to be approachable.
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Fontanafredda Estate in Serralunga d'Alba, Courtesy of Fontanafredda
Fontanafredda is one of the largest wine producers in the Langhe region.  Their portfolio includes 43% red, 26% white, 28% sweet and 3% sparkling wines.  Their estate vineyards, centered in Serralunga d’Alba, encompass 247 acres, which provides only 20% of their production.  Over four hundred local wine grape growers supply the rest, and farm their vines in accordance with Fontanafredda’s sustainable focus, making them the largest certified organic winery in Piemonte.
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Giorgio Lavagna, Chief Winemaker and Technical Director for Fontanafredda
Fontanafredda’s roots began as a love story, when Vittorio Emanuele II bought the estate as a gift for his mistress, Rosa Vercellana.  Their son, Count Emanuele Alberto, planted over 700 acres of vines, and, as the first king of Italy, made Barolo a legend, where the wine of kings became the “King of Wines”.  Success followed until phylloxera decimated the vineyards in 1928, and hard times hit the winery, which was sold in 1931.  Bank-owned for almost 80 years, Fontanafredda returned to Piemontese natives, who quickly reclaimed their crown.  In 2017, Fontanafredda was awarded European Winery of the Year by Wine Enthusiast.  Now with Giorgio Lavagna in place as Chief Winemaker and Technical Director, Fontanafredda is forging a new future, steeped in history but clearly embracing modern sensibilities, making their younger Barolos more approachable and ready to drink earlier, while seeking innovation and respecting sustainability for the future.
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Fontanafredda among the rolling hills of the Langhe, Courtesy of Fontanafredda
Eleven villages make up the Barolo DOCG, but five of them produce the lion’s share of Barolo wines, thanks to their altitude and soils.  Each one has its own wine personality, but overall Barolos are robust and full-bodied, with high acidity and big tannins, and color is an indicator of age, ruby when young and a brick or orange color with time.  Each village has subzones with unique characteristics, the MGA (Menzione Geografica Aggiuntiva) is similar to the French “Cru” classification.  Fontanafredda is the only MGA named after an estate winery, located in Serralunga d’Alba, in essence a “monopole” of Barolo.  Within these MGA zones, single vineyards further define the wine; for Fontanafredda, Vigna La Rosa is their famous vineyard, which translates into floral wines with balanced acidity and graceful tannins.  DOCG rules mandate that Barolo is made of 100% Nebbiolo, with minimum aging requirements of 38 months, of which 18 must be in bottle.  Riservas need additional aging, over five years.
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(L-R) Chief Winemaker Giorgio Lavagna and Export Manage Chiara Destefanis for Fontanafredda Estate Winery
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It’s rare to have the opportunity to explore Barolo through the lens of time and place, but at a very special tasting luncheon at Spago Beverly Hills for wine professionals, Fontanafredda displayed an impressive range of Barolos that added to an appreciation of today’s wines.  Winemaker Giorgio Lavagna and his trusty translator, Export Manager Chiara Destefanis, conducted a tasting of seven wines alongside passed appetizers and a three course lunch.  It was interesting to compare these powerful wines, elegant versus robust, and what time and tradition brought to the glass.  These are my impressions of the wines tasted:
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We started with a sparkling wine, the Contessa Rosa Rosé Alta Langa DOCG 2012, a blend of 80% Pinot Nero (Noir) and 20% Chardonnay, with a splash of Barolo 1967 liqueur d’expedition added to the second fermentation.  Wow, the aromatic freshness and touch of complexity, with notes of orange blossom, pomegranate, plum, ginger, nutmeg and basil, a savory, mineral wine.  This is always a vintage wine, spending 60 months on lees and 30 months in barrel.
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Barolo Serralunga d’Alba DOCG 2015 -  a great vintage, powerful and balanced, a tannic backbone inside a velvety texture.  This is a more fruity Barolo, due to the vintage, with notes of vanilla, spice, withered roses and underbrush.  The first single village Barolo produced, back in 1988, the bottling is iconic, the striped design of the label reflects the design of the village buildings.
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Barolo Fontanafredda DOCG 2013 - an MGA, this is the only one 100% owned by a single producer in the Barolo region.  An old style vintage because of cooler weather, more red berry fruits and violets, tight but silky tannins.  Meaty, concentrated, higher acidity, more mineral, and needs more time to be easily approachable.
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Barolo Vigna La Rosa DOCG 2011 -  a single vineyard within the MGA, where skillful wine growing is required because of early harvest and low yields.  Deep garnet red, with an intense nose of ripe fruit and spice.  Dense tannins, explosive palate from velvet to fruit, with a long persistent finish.  Elegant, balanced acidity, sweet and round due to a riper year, ready to drink.
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Barolo Vigna La Rosa DOCG 1996 - aged bouquet of ripe plums, tobacco, licorice, dried mushrooms, nutmeg and white pepper.  Dense tannins weave together softness and balance.  This is considered a perfect vintage with 20-30 years of life for the wine, a rare occurrence in Piemonte.
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Barolo Riserva 2010 - a modern style, intense color and aromas of black cherry, tobacco, dried mushrooms, nutmeg, pepper, and balsamic notes.  Rich and concentrated, with sweet velvety tannins accented by a fresh sour note.  Only made in the best vintages, with the best grapes. Enjoyable right now but won’t last decades.
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Barolo Riserva 2000 - ripe fruit and spice, with ripe tannins on a smooth and persistent finish, gets better and better with more time in the glass.
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Barolo is designed to accompany food, at which Spago excelled with their choices.  Best food pairings are beef, veal, pasta, risotto, charcuterie and egg dishes, with white truffles of course!  But seriously, Barolo pairs well with a wide range of food, they just need decanting time for their full beauty to blossom.  These wines are available in wine shops, retail prices run from $54 to $165, but the older vintages are not available for purchase.
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Over the past 30 years, Barolo has evolved, from a high acid/high tannin wine that needs at least 10 years of aging, to a softer, fruitier wine that is more approachable at a younger age.  Fontanafredda is the bridge between the old and the new, and offers a time capsule from the past to the future.  As a wine of structure and aromatic complexity, Barolo will imprint itself on your sense memory, hauntingly beautiful and forever unforgettable.