The history and the economy of Langhe has been marked by the route taken by the Nebbiolo vine variety, the only variety that can be used 100% for the production of Barolo, along with its different sub varieties: Lampia, Michet and Rosè. The unique areas where it is grown, over the years, have become a real gems as well as a source of pride and, in fact, every year approximately 800 producers show their lands to the international wine sector.
As dictated by tradition and technical policy, the municipalities where the Nebbiolo grapes become Barolo number only eleven, spread over a surface of some 1,700 hectares: Cherasco, Verduno, Roddi, La Morra, Grinzane Cavour, Castiglione Falletto, Diano d’Alba, Barolo, Novello, Serralunga d’Alba and Monforte d’Alba, constitute the eleven souls that have represented the DOCG Barolo since 1980. Every municipality, area, subarea, vineyard and lot is amazing, heterogeneous and remain hidden in every single vintage and bottle.
In 1600, the Nebbiolo grape was already appreciated and consumed by the aristocracy and the members of the Savoy Royal Family, but it was thanks to the help of Camillo Benso, Count of Cavour, who called in the French oenologist Alexandre-Pierre Odart, that the production process was improved, arriving at the creation of the “King of wines”. At that time, Barolo started its climb towards success and the conquering of the most demanding palates around the world. The first acknowledgments arrived in 1873, with an outstanding seven gold medals won at the Vienna competition, confirming that Barolo was a wine suitable for aging. Since then, that success has never ceased and today Barolo presents itself as a wine commonly used on our tables. It is an invitation to indulge with a delightful moment, a journey with evolving dynamics that only time can turn important and exclusive; this is definitively a wine to taste during the most important of celebrations.
After a period of cessation caused by the arrival of phylloxera and several wars for the predominance of Europe conducted by the French, the area where Barolo was produced was circumscribed for the first time in 1909 by the Agriculture Committee of Alba. Another turning point came in 1933, when Barolo was recognized as a “traditional prestigious wine” and the following year when, on 30th June, the Consortium of the traditional wines of Barolo and Barbaresco was established. The last important moment was in 1966, when it received the DOC acknowledgment.
From: stradadelbarolo.it
