ELIO ALTARE La Villa Rosso, Langhe DOC The Elio Altare Langhe La Villa comes from the La Morra sub-region. Only 200-250 dozen bottles are produced each year from Nebbiolo and Barbera grapes planted on south-east facing slopes. The vineyard, on clay and tufa stone soils, is farmed organically, but along traditional lines. The grapes are crushed and then macerated on skins for 3-4 days in temperature-controlled rotary fermenters before fermentation using indigenous yeasts. The wine is matured for 18 months in new French oak barriques before bottling unfined and unfiltered. The Elio Altare La Villa shows an intense, ruby-red colour and equally intense aromas of plums and berries, plus rose petals. The palate typically shows fresh red fruits, balanced tannins and attractive acidity boosted by the Barbera component.

In 2011 we started to think and act organic in the vineyards (officially certified since 2016). In 2015 our evolution continued with the introduction of a Biodynamic approach to the entire property. Key changes to improve the ecosystem include, adding trees and plants in the vineyards, introducing a green garden, and building birdhouses. While we have always sought balance in the vineyards, we now look for it in every part of our environment. For us, that means no chemical weeding, no systemic anti-parasite treatments, and no chemical fertilization. In addition, we plant barley, oats, and clover between the vines to revitalize the soil. To keep soft the soil not to stress the roots of the vines. We use corroborates to reduce chemical treatments and we even make our own compost. To promote as much biodiversity as possible we practice farming diversification by incorporating other crops. Finally, we always bottle with the energy of the waning moon.

On the palate it is very vigorous, rich in extracts, with lively and pleasant tannins that are rounded through a skilful use of wood. A powerful, tantalizing Nebbiolo by Luigi Pira with a great ageing potential.

In 1904 a co-operative winery called Ai Vino Delle Langhe was founded and a young man who worked there was Alfred Prunotto. Prunotto took over the estate in 1922, giving it his own name and today it is run under the umbrella of the famous Marchesi Antinori family. Located in Alba the estate tends around 50 hectares of vineyards throughout the Langhe and Monferrato. This Nebbiolo is garnet red in colour with ample and complex aromas of violets and berry fruit, full and velvety in flavour and very balanced. Its structure and body make it an ideal match for meat and game dishes and for cheese.

On the palate it is very vigorous, rich in extracts, with lively and pleasant tannins that are rounded through a skilful use of wood. A powerful, tantalizing wine with a great ageing potential.

PRODUTTORI DEL BARBARESCO Riserva Rabaja, Barbaresco