In the heart of the Roero region, in Vezza d’Alba, the Demarie Giovanni family have been managing their estate for more than three generations with hard work and a real passion for viticulture. The winery has over 20 hectares of vineyards in the districts of Vezza, Castagnito, Castellinaldo and Guarene. The company’s choice to produce wine exclusively from grapes grown on its own vineyards guarantees the authenticity of the product. Demarie is also focused on the sustainability of its wines: by 2020. In 2007, their first wine was awarded BIO product certification.

Winemaking

The grapes are fermented in stainless steel tanks at a controlled temperature of 24-25°C for 20 days. The cap is popped once a day and pumped twice a day to ensure good color and tannin extraction during fermentation. At the end of fermentation, the wine is left on the skins for thirty days. This long “extraction” period fills the wine with tannins that develop over time and create a very complex aroma and taste. This Barolo Riserva is aged in “secondary” Slavonian oak barrels with a volume of 2500 liters for five years. During this long-term oxidative aging, the tannins soften and acquire the desired aroma. Thanks to the contact with oak, the wine has subtle notes of smoke, black pepper and cinnamon. Paolo uses recycled barrels because the aging process takes a very long time: the new oak outweighs the fruity aroma of the wine. Five years is much longer than the legal requirement (18 months), but most premium wines tend to exceed the minimum.

Tasting notes

With a medium garnet color, as you would expect from a Nebbiolo aged for such a long time. Exciting, pronounced aromas of blackberry, black cherry, black plum, spices: black pepper, figs, tobacco and old leather. The wine is dry in the mouth, with strong tannins that melt over time and become soft rather than harsh. Medium acidity, strong notes of black cherry, Amsterdam pipe tobacco and leather and black berry jam. Long aftertaste.

Food pairing

Goes well with first course, red meat, cheese and game.