MARCO E VITTORIO ADRIANO

The Adrianos have 27 hectares of vines, as well as some of the very best hazel trees in Piemonte, which produce unbelievably delicious hazelnuts! Grazia and her daughter Michela look after sales and marketing and Luciana runs the office and Marco tends the vines.

Their vineyards are mainly parcelled around San Rocco, but they have 7 ha in the commune of Neive, a single, vertiginously steep, plot in the cru Basarin, which Grazia brought into the family when she married Vittorio. SE facing, at 300 masl and a 45% incline. The average age of the vines here is about 15 years, and the soil is grey volcanic marl.

Barbaresco Basarin is aged for 12 months in stainless steel and then another year in 35 and 50 hl vats. The potential Barbaresco Basarin Riserva is regularly tasted both in tank & wood against the ‘normale’ and if it’s not judged considerably better, then it reverts to being simple Basarin. But if it makes the grade, then it has 1 year in steel, 1 year in 35 hl vats and then a further 24 months in bottle before release. Their other Barbaresco, Sanadaive, comes from San Rocco Seno d’Elvio. The vines here have an average age of 33 years; they are SW facing, at 280 masl, and the soil is white volcanic marl.

Their dry Moscato, Ardì, (which means “bold” in Piemontese) cannot have the vintage or its varietal name on the label because the regulatory authorities are concerned that it might be mistaken for Moscato d’Asti! As if anyone wouldn’t notice the lack of bubbles in Ardì!

For the Freisa Langhe DOC, don’t be put off by the word  “Lice” on the label – it is an affectionate diminutive of great uncle Felice’s name (he planted the Freisa vineyard) and has nothing to do with an itchy head! Great BBQ wine!

www.adrianovini.it/