New Feature: Wine of the Week!

Wine of the Week: 2006 Elio Grasso “Gavarini” Nebbiolo d’Alba

The garlicky, earthy flavors of our New Year’s cotechino con lenticche paired exquisitely with this fresh Nebbiolo from Italy’s Elio Grasso. Its high-toned cherry, rose petal and tarry notes on the nose were intoxicating, while the fine-grained tannins and lively acidity cut through the fattiness of the sausage. Each sip made you want to take another sip, then take a bite, then take another sip.

Elio Grasso is easily one of the top Barolo producers; his estate precariously carved into the hillsides outside the town of Monforte d’Alba. This is Grasso’s entry-level wine, made from the same grape as Barolo, without the requisite aging. The fruit comes from the 1.2-hectare Gavarini Vineyard, a south-facing site perched at 350-380 meters above sea level. Its loosely-packed, well-drained limestone soils are ideal for growing Nebbiolo, keeping vigor low and allowing for balanced, concentrated berries. Elio works most of the vineyards himself, leaving his son Gianluca in the cellar more and more.