Bramaterra and Friends by Alessio

When it comes to Nebbiolo, my experience is so limited that it often feels like I know almost nothing about this noble grape or the regions it hails from. With other areas, I don't feel too bad about the missed opportunities (you can't taste everything, after all), but Nebbiolo pulls me in with a particular allure. I understand why so many people hold it in such high regard, and this growing appreciation explains the increasing number of Nebbiolo-based wines I've stocked in my cellar for personal enjoyment.

Of course, Barbaresco and Barolo are celebrated appellations, but fortunately for enthusiasts like me, other regions - thanks to various factors - produce remarkable yet more affordable wines. Valtellina, Gattinara, and, notably, Bramaterra come to mind. Though my experience with Barolo is minimal, I've heard compelling perspectives. For instance, Alessio mentions that today's Bramaterra resembles Barolo from 30 years ago, partly due to climate change and partly because of the traditional winemaking methods that haven't been compromised to suit mass-market preferences.

Not long ago, I participated in a small tasting where we compared two bottles of Bramaterra by La Palazzina with two bottles of Gattinara by Travaglini, both recent arrivals from Wine Wine and Goodwine respectively. I was so captivated by the Bramaterra that when Vasyl and Alessio invited me to a tasting focused entirely on this region, I couldn't resist.

Naturally, the event kicked off with Champagne as a welcome drink. We then tasted four wines from La Palazzina, followed by a few surprises - one more Bramaterra, a Gattinara, and a stunning Valtellina, all served blind. It was an incredible experience. My heartfelt thanks go to Alessio and Vasyl for making life just that little bit more beautiful and to Lo Bar for providing such a cosy setting and delicious snacks.

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