Piemonte Archives - Enoteca Nederland

Luca Maroni: awards for Icardi

Stefania del Giudice — Tue, 03 Feb 2026 07:49:12 +0000

Nice Luca Maroni reviews for Icardi‘s wines.

Moscato d’Asti La Rosa Selvatica 2024

“A graceful name for a wine with a perfume reminiscent of wild roses.“

Points

Pafoj Bianco 2024

“Pafoj: assemblage of Cortese and Sauvignon aged in barrique and Chardonnay aged in steel tanks. Relax, “we aren’t crazy.”

Points

Barbera d’Asti Tabaren 2024

“Tabaren (from the French “tabarin”) was a venue used for theatre plays, art and dancing. We are all better dancers after a couple of glasses of wine.”

Points

Barolo Riserva Serra 2019

“Presents a complex and ethereal bouquet with aromas of violets, red fruit jam and licorice but also spices such as pepper and vanilla.”

Points

Barolo Fossati 2021

At the beginning then ethereal and balsamic notes of mint, eucaliptus and liquorice.”

Points

Barolo Parej 2021

“PAREJ: “In this way” – this is how Barolo wine should be, an assemblage of nebbiolo grapes coming from 3 different areas “

Points

Barbaresco Starderi 2022

“Soft pressing after that a spontaneous natural fermentation with indigenous yeast.”

Points

2 SOULS, 1 COMPANY

Early in the Sixties Mr. Pierino began producing his own wine starting off a quality trend that remains a key feature of our company nowadays. Pierino’s son and daughter, Claudio and Mariagrazia, are now managing the company in their father’s footsteps.

The Winery is located in Castiglione Tinella, within the Province of Cuneo, between the Lower Langa and the Monferrato Regions. Rolling hills almost completely covered in vineyards are visible as far as the eye can see and make Castiglione Tinella one of the liveliest towns in Italy. The cliffs running down towards the valleys Tinella and Belbo frame the vineyards and the wood patches, creating a unique landscape.

The extension of the vineyards allows our company’s production to cover all types of wines available in the South of Piedmont. Icardi’s style is renowned around the world for its significantly fruity, refined, clean and elegant wines. The balanced flavour of both regular and “more important” wines can be appreciated immediately after production.

Discover the world of Icardi Vini ….

take a look at their website:

or watch this video

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Kerin O’Keefe’s 2025 Top 100

Stefania del Giudice — Thu, 15 Jan 2026 10:00:23 +0000

Kerin O’Keefe’s 2025 Top 100: nice awards for Massolino, Paltrinieri and Patrizia Cencioni.

Their Barolo Riserva Vigna Rionda, Lambrusco Radice and Brunello Ofelio are in the 2025 TOP 100 wines. Congratulations!

#14 of 2025: Massolino’s Barolo Riserva Vigna Rionda 2019 with 98 Points

"The impressive 2019 Vigna Rionda Riserva from Massolino captivates with its combination of structure, intensity and elegance. It opens with classic Barolo aromas of red berry, wild rose, dark spice, leather and a balsamic whiff of camphor that on the composed, full-bodied palate segue into more defined sensations of crushed raspberry, cranberry, licorice and tobacco. Showing the nuance of this extraordinary vintage, it’s still youthfully austere, with a backbone of firm, fine-grained tannins and vibrant acidity that lends youthful tension. This is one I’d love to try again in ten years or so. Drink 2034–2049"

Kerin O'Keefe

#61 of 2025
Patrizia Cencioni’s Brunello di Montalcino Ofelio 2021 with 96 Points

"The Patrizia Cencioni 2021 Brunello Ofelio is a stunning wine. It opens with heady scents of sandalwood, underbrush, lavender, Mediterranean scrub, new leather and cedar. Picking up where the nose leaves off, the full-bodied, focused palate delivers ripe red plum, black cherry, licorice and vanilla set against firm, fine-grained tannins and bright acidity. Still quite young and primary, this promises great aging potential so give it time to fully develop. Drink 2033–2046."

Kerin O'Keefe

#94 of 2025: Paltrinieri’s Lambrusco di Sorbara Radice 2024 with 94 Points

"The 2024 Radice, a benchmark wine in the denomination along with its sibling Leclisse, opens with delicately enticing aromas of small red berry, violet, lavender, citrus and wild herb. Showing great racy tension, the palate is bone-dry and savory, featuring pomegranate, cranberry, blood orange and saline notes. Made with the ancestral method of bottling the wine while still on its lees, as you get toward the bottom of the bottle, you’ll also find yeasty flavors recalling brioche. Bright acidity and a fine fizz provide energy and finesse."

Kerin O'Keefe

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Vitae 2026: awards for Borgo Maragliano

Stefania del Giudice — Mon, 15 Dec 2025 10:20:46 +0000

Vitae 2026, awards for Borgo Maragliano: Associazione Italiana Sommelier awarded the Blanc de Blancs Alta Lnaga DOCG Francesco Galiano 2021 with 4 Viti.

Blanc de Blancs Alta Langa DOCG Francesco Galliano 2021

Grapes: 100% Chardonnay
Training System: Low Guyot

TASTING NOTES:

A sparkle characterised by very fine chains of bubbles in a pale straw-coloured wine with greenish highlights. The structured bouquet features sensations of fruit, lime, aromatic herbs and honey, with acacia blossom, which bring out the true nature of the Chardonnay grape. The delicious entry makes its very seductive and harmonious as it lingers on the palate. The remarkable flavour of this Blanc de Blancs expresses the true characteristics of a great grape grown in a very hostile terroir.

DETERMINATION AND VISIONARY SPIRIT

Five generations of farmers who have learned to watch the sky and cope with the unpredictability of the climate and natural events.
The first written records of the family date back to an entry in the church registers in 1790, recording the birth of Giovanni, progenitor of the Galliano family, an enterprising, determined and brilliant man who was very proud of his home.
It was 1850 when he decided to purchase the first plot of land in the municipality of Loazzolo. Giovanni had travelled widely, giving him an opportunity to broaden his horizons, and his entrepreneurial mind was filled with the belief that cultivating vines was the way forward
It was the beginning of the twentieth century; a time described as very bitter in the works of Cesare Pavese, which left its mark on the history of the little village of Loazzolo and the Galliano family.
Giovanni’s grandson Carlo died, leaving his wife Teresa to bring up her two young children alone, Giuseppe and Anna Maria. Teresa, obstinate and hard-working, coped with every adversity and never once gave in to the temptation to “run away” from this unfortunate area.

Giuseppe encouraged his son Carlo to study Oenology in Alba and, spurred on by his father, he immediately set to work on the vinification of one of the Langa’s greatest grapes, Moscato.

His passion and dedication knew no ends.

The experience of the generations that had gone before him was reflected in his work, along with the desire for innovation in both the vineyard and the cellar: he challenged his land and himself, attempting something that had never been tried before in these soils dedicated to the cultivation of Moscato and becoming the first producer of a Traditional Method Sparkling Wine using Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. The unique pedoclimate proved him right.

Today, Borgo Maragliano is a cellar that is looking to the future once again, through the eyes of the new generation, represented by Carlo and Silvia’s sons: Giovanni, Francesco and Federico.

THE VINEYARDS

The sea wind and millions of years of erosion and geological evolution have given these places an extraordinary microclimate and ideal conditions for the cultivation of vines in the high hills.

Thanks to the mixture of flora and fauna, the woods represent an important basin of oxygen and balance necessary for eco-friendly viticulture.

Every vineyard has its own particular characteristics in terms of exposure, altitude and soil composition. Each one occupies an optimal position, and is between 35 and 65 years old

More info?
Take a look at the website and follow the producer on the socials

The post Vitae 2026: awards for Borgo Maragliano appeared first on Enoteca Nederland.

Icardi: award by Wine Spectator

Stefania del Giudice — Thu, 04 Dec 2025 12:38:02 +0000

Icardi: award by Wine Spectator. 94 Points have been assigned to Barbaresco Montubert 2021.

Grapes: 100% Nebbiolo
Vinification: light pressing, fermentation and maceration on the skins in stainless steel tanks.
Ageing: in wood
Colour: intense garnet red with Nebbiolo’s typical orange shades
Nose: complex and elegant, with flower and violet aromas
Taste: robust, dry and pleasantly tannic

2 SOULS, ONE COMPANY

The extension of the vineyards allows ICARDI’s production to cover all types of wines available in the South of Piedmont. Icardi’s style is renowned around the world for its significantly fruity, refined, clean and elegant wines. The balanced flavour of both regular and “more important” wines can be appreciated immediately after production.

More info?
Take a look at their website and social media:

The post Icardi: award by Wine Spectator appeared first on Enoteca Nederland.

New barrels at Borgo Maragliano

Stefania del Giudice — Thu, 04 Sep 2025 09:22:57 +0000

New barrels at Borgo Maragliano: 3 ceramic-stoneware barrels which will be used for their Chardonnay

Wine and porcelain have a connection that’s as old as winemaking itself. In ancient Magna Graecia, men used amphoras to maintain the characteristics of wine.

Ceramic barrels, made of a particular, compact, and homogeneous natural ceramic, have an inherent microporous structure. This structure allows for a very limited and slow gas exchange—specifically, micro-oxygenation—with the outside environment. This controlled process is crucial for the wine’s development.

The benefits of using ceramic stoneware for winemaking are:

Controlled Micro-Oxygenation
The material is porous, allowing a gradual exchange of oxygen. This measured exposure helps soften tannins and stabilize the wine’s color without the rapid oxidation that would spoil it.
Increased Elegance and Definition
The slow, steady oxygenation makes the wine more ready to drink, resulting in a more elegant and defined final product.
Preservation of Aromatics
It enhances the wine’s floral and vegetal components while preserving the freshness and fruit evolution.

Unlike other materials, these amphoras are specifically designed not to contaminate the wine. They are crafted from a precise porcelain blend that ensures optimal oxygenation.

As a contemporary alternative to concrete and wood, porcelain stoneware is a blend of natural elements ideal for both wine fermentation and aging.

THE HISTORY
The Galliano family have been farmers for five generations. The family’s history of resilience began with Giovanni, an entrepreneurial man who bought his first plot of land in Loazzolo in 1850. After his grandson Carlo died in the early 1900s, his wife Teresa took over the farm and raised their two children. Teresa’s “obstinate and hard-working” nature helped her overcome adversity and stay in Loazzolo despite the challenges.

Giuseppe encouraged his son, Carlo, to study oenology, which led Carlo to focus on making wine from the Moscato grape. Building on the family’s long history, Carlo blended tradition with innovation, becoming the first producer in the area to create a Traditional Method Sparkling Wine using Chardonnay and Pinot Noir.

Today, the next generation—Carlo and Silvia’s sons Giovanni, Francesco, and Federico—continues to lead the Borgo Maragliano winery into the future.

THE VINEYARDS
An extraordinary microclimate and ideal conditions for the cultivation of vines in the high hills due to the sea wind and millions of years of erosion and geological evolution.

Thanks to the mixture of flora and fauna, the woods represent an important basin of oxygen and balance necessary for eco-friendly viticulture.

Every vineyard has its own particular characteristics in terms of exposure, altitude and soil composition. Each one occupies an optimal position, and is between 35 and 65 years old

Fancy more info?
Take a look at their website
↓

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Kerin O’Keefe: high ratings for Pertinace

Stefania del Giudice — Mon, 02 Jun 2025 06:51:50 +0000

Kerin O’Keefe: high ratings for Pertinace.

Barbaresco Nervo received 93 Points. Barbaresco Pertinace and Marcarini 92 Points and Barbaresco Riserva Castellizzano 91 Points.

Barbaresco Nervo DOCG

Grapes: 100% Nebbiolo

Vinification: 40-60 days in steel tanks with submerged cap. Temperature controlled.

Sensory notes: Intense ruby red colour, very persistant aroma, with violets and ripe fruits. Great taste structure with evident but sweet tannins. Balanced and velvety.

Barbaresco Pertinace DOCG

Grapes: 100% Nebbiolo

Vinification: 40-60 days in steel tanks with submerged cap. Temperature controlled.

Sensory notes: Garnet red with ruby reflex colour, intense aroma with pepper, chocolate and liquorice; Harmonious and velvety taste with soft tannins.

Barbaresco Marcarini DOCG

Grapes: 100%

Vinification: 40-60 days in steel tanks with submerged cap. Temperature controlled.

Sensory notes: Intense ruby red color, complex aroma, with hints of cherry and red fruits. Elegant, soft, and balanced taste. Persistent on the palate.

Barbaresco Riserva Castellizzano DOCG

Grapes: 100% Nebbiolo

Vinification: 40-60 days in steel tanks with submerged cap. Temperature controlled.

Sensory notes: Intense ruby red color with garnet reflections that intensify with aging, intense and complex aroma, with hints of coffee and cocoa, ripe red fruits. Good taste structure, with soft tannins and marked acidity.

THE COMPANY

Pertinace is a coop.
20 business partners and friends who work together to produce high quality wines with a pop soul since 1973. We are masters in the vinification of Barbaresco. Why do we do it? Because in our roots wine has always been a symbol of friendship, laughs and good memories. Making you feel at home is our added value from the first sip.

THE VINEYARDS

Starting from Alba, the capital of the Langhe, going up towards the hills of Treiso and Barbaresco, harmonious expanses of vineyards that seem combed by the breeze wind along the entire route. The rows are looked after with exceptional attention and are aesthetically perfect. It is precisely in this natural context that, every day, Pertinace’s members regularly work the 110 hectares of vineyards which extend in the province of Cuneo, around the municipalities of Treiso, Barbaresco, Alba, Neviglie, Piobesi d’Alba , Magliano Alfieri and, in the Asti area, in Agliano Terme.

THE WINES

Pertinace is the masters in Barbaresco winemaking.

They produce Barbaresco Classico and three different MGA of Barbaresco that are among their most loved and appreciated worldwide wines: Barbaresco “Marcarini”, “Nervo” and “Castellizzano” Riserva.
The complete range of Pertinace’s red wines faithfully reflects the most traditional production of the Langhe area: Barolo, Langhe Nebbiolo, Langhe Rosso, Dolcetto d’Alba, Barbera d’Alba, Barbera d’Asti and Pertì.

Moreover, Pertinace produces also Langhe Arneis, Alta Langa and Moscato d’Asti.

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Awards for Pertinace

Stefania del Giudice — Wed, 12 Feb 2025 09:39:45 +0000

Awards for Pertinace: Winescritic.com rated the Barbaresco 2021 with 90 Points.

Review:

“slightly muted on the sensory profile, it reveals notes of black plums, black tea leaves, juniper berries, sandalwood, cumin, and nutmeg. Medium-bodied, with soft tannins and a pleasantly long finish”“

– Raffaele Vecchione –
Winescritic.com

THE WINE
Denomination: Barbaresco DOCG
Exposure: South, South-East, South-West
Grapes: Nebbiolo
Vinification: 40-60 days in steel tanks with submerged cap. Temperature controlled

Tasting notes:
Garnet red with ruby reflex colour, intense aroma with pepper, chocolate and liquorice; Harmonious and velvety taste with soft tannins.
Suggested with savoury dishes, grilled meats and cheese.

THE PRODUCER
Pertinace is a coop.
20 business partners and friends who work together to produce high quality wines with a pop soul since 1973. We are masters in the vinification of Barbaresco. Why do we do it? Because in our roots wine has always been a symbol of friendship, laughs and good memories. Making you feel at home is our added value from the first sip.

The winery is located in Località Pertinace, in Treiso, in the heart of the Langhe hills. This area is also known as the birthplace of Publio Elvio Pertinace, roman emperor, historically recognized as leader of great moral and value and as a honest man. The values of the emperor inspired Mario Barbero and his friends/partners, in 1973, to establish the winery and give it such an important name recognized today internationally.

The focus of the production is mainly Nebbiolo based, ideal for the production of the famous Barbaresco.

Over the years, production and sales have recorded notable growth, leading us to significantly expand the structure: the cellar, the wine-shop and the packaging department have been extended to accomodate the growing demand, guaranteeing the same quality that has distinguished us from the beginning.

Pertinace, originally with 13 members all coming from the Treiso area, today is a cooperative with 20 members. The goal is the cultivation of superior quality vineyards, to offer labels of great prestige and elegance to the market.

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Vitae 2025: awards for Borgo Maragliano

Stefania del Giudice — Thu, 09 Jan 2025 13:59:25 +0000

Vitae 2025: awards for Borgo Maragliano: Associazione Italiana Sommelier awarded the Blanc de Noirs Brut Nature Dogma 2019 with 4 Viti.

Blanc de Noirs Brut Nature Dogma 2019

Grapes: 100% Pinot Noir
Training System: Low Guyo

TASTING NOTES:

A fine and intense perlage and persistent foam generate a flurry of colours ranging from greenish yellow to the copper nuance typical of a sparkling wine made from Pinot Noir grapes. The olfactory panorama is elegant and precious with notes of musk, humus and citrus fruits mixed with hints of brushwood, tobacco, leather and notes of eucalyptus. An elegantly balanced, rich, full palate with a foam that envelops despite the fact that this is a pas-dosé sparkling wine. An explosive finish with a vinous vein elevates it without question to the status of Auteur Wine.

DETERMINATION AND VISIONARY SPIRIT

Giuseppe encouraged his son Carlo to study Oenology in Alba and, spurred on by his father, he immediately set to work on the vinification of one of the Langa’s greatest grapes, Moscato.

His passion and dedication knew no ends.

Today, Borgo Maragliano is a cellar that is looking to the future once again, through the eyes of the new generation, represented by Carlo and Silvia’s sons: Giovanni, Francesco and Federico.

THE VINEYARDS

The sea wind and millions of years of erosion and geological evolution have given these places an extraordinary microclimate and ideal conditions for the cultivation of vines in the high hills.

Thanks to the mixture of flora and fauna, the woods represent an important basin of oxygen and balance necessary for eco-friendly viticulture.

Every vineyard has its own particular characteristics in terms of exposure, altitude and soil composition. Each one occupies an optimal position, and is between 35 and 65 years old

More info?
Take a look at the website and follow the producer on the socials

The post Vitae 2025: awards for Borgo Maragliano appeared first on Enoteca Nederland.

Bibenda 2025: Icardi

Stefania del Giudice — Wed, 11 Dec 2024 09:28:45 +0000

Proud to inform you that the Barbaresco Starderi of Icardi received the 5 grappoli Bibenda 2025 (Fondazione Italiana Sommelier).

Complex and elegant, dried plums, liquorice notes.Flowers and violet aroma

Elegant tannin, female and a good acidity that gives structure and balance

2 SOULS, ONE COMPANY

Want to learn more?

Visit the website:

Watch the video

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Borgo Maragliano’s awards update

Stefania del Giudice — Tue, 19 Nov 2024 13:44:45 +0000

Borgo Maragliano‘s awards update: Falstaff rated Borgo Maragliano’s Blanc de Blancs Alta Langa 2020 with 93 Points.

ALTA LANGA: The appellation requires a minimum of 30 months on the fine yeast in the bottle to qualify as DOCG.
The first italian Classic Method was born in 1865 in Piedmont – Canelli – a village nearby Loazzolo.
Loazzolo is one of the selected Villages of the Upper Langa.
Starting in the early 1980s, the Galliano Family began experimenting with Chardonnay and Pinot Nero to produce Classic/Champagne Method Sparkling Wines.

PRODUCTION TECHNOLOGY

100% Chardonnay grapes.
Bottled in the April of the year after harvest and, after dosage and the immediate addition of yeast from the batch, it undergoes second fermentation. At the end of this process, which creates the characteristic foam, the wine continues to mature on lees for about 32 months. During this period the wine loses its herbaceous characteristics and acquires everything it takes to become a very delicate and refined sparkling wine. Then “riddling” and “disgorging” operations prepare it for consumption, which takes place from about three years after harvesting.

TASTING NOTES

GASTRONOMIC PAIRINGS

Perfect on its own or as an aperitif accompanied by shellfish, raw fish or fresh cheese.

DETERMINATION AND VISIONARY SPIRIT

Five generations of farmers who have learned to watch the sky and cope with the unpredictability of the climate and natural events.

The first written records of the family date back to an entry in the church registers in 1790, recording the birth of Giovanni, progenitor of the Galliano family, an enterprising, determined and brilliant man who was very proud of his home.

It was 1850 when he decided to purchase the first plot of land in the municipality of Loazzolo. Giovanni had travelled widely, giving him an opportunity to broaden his horizons, and his entrepreneurial mind was filled with the belief that cultivating vines was the way forward

It was the beginning of the twentieth century; a time described as very bitter in the works of Cesare Pavese, which left its mark on the history of the little village of Loazzolo and the Galliano family.

Giovanni’s grandson Carlo died, leaving his wife Teresa to bring up her two young children alone, Giuseppe and Anna Maria. Teresa, obstinate and hard-working, coped with every adversity and never once gave in to the temptation to “run away” from this unfortunate area.

Giuseppe encouraged his son Carlo to study Oenology in Alba and, spurred on by his father, he immediately set to work on the vinification of one of the Langa’s greatest grapes, Moscato.

His passion and dedication knew no ends.

soils dedicated to the cultivation of Moscato and becoming the first producer of a Traditional Method Sparkling Wine using Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. The unique pedoclimate proved him right.

Today, Borgo Maragliano is a cellar that is looking to the future once again, through the eyes of the new generation, represented by Carlo and Silvia’s sons: Giovanni, Francesco and Federico.

Take a look at their website and discover more about Borgo Maragliano’s world

The post Borgo Maragliano’s awards update appeared first on Enoteca Nederland.