STORY:
Our second selection comes also from our friends at SelectioNaturel. Pioneers of natural wine importing, we’re convinced that among their many excellent producers that Poderi Cellario is their finest gem. Masters of all of Piedmont’s varieties, their minimal intervention expressions of these grapes are a real breath of fresh air in a region dominated by conventional farming and winemaking. They have practiced organic viticulture for many years, and are on their way to official certification. They craft some of the finest ‘glou glou’ type expressions of these varieties in their ‘È’ range–that you’ve likely seen in our value section. Too, though, they are real masters of Dolcetto, producing several very serious expressions of this often-overlooked variety. Their DOC Langhe Dolcetto that we’ll consider this month is their entry-level interpretation.
TASTING:
Purity of fruit is on full display in Cellario’s Langhe Dolcetto. On the nose come notes of white pepper and rose framing notes of brambly red fruits. On the palate the wine is remarkably fresh yet grippy, with firm yet silky tannins. The flavors that come through again are herbal and fruity, with notes of wild raspberry, ripe cranberry, and both white and black pepper. A wine of medium body, it will pair up beautifully with a wide variety of dishes, just like our Lambrusco. Try it with our recipe for Leek, Lamb, and Pecorino Pasta.
MORE:
Sourced from the Cellario vineyards just outside the vaunted Dogliani zone, this DOC Langhe Dolcetto is farmed with the same meticulousness as their higher-level Dolcettos. Organic through and through, in the winery again minimal interventionism is the priority. As such, the wine is harvested by hand, fermented without purchased yeasts, and is aged in a combination of steel tank and bottle before release.
