I have never been too much fond of red wines. It’s hard to say, I know, especially for a Sommelier, but when I drink red it has to be a great one…and this is it!
This comes from the area where I was born in Piemonte in the north of Italy. To be more than precise from Vercelli province.
There is always been a big rivality between the small towns of Gattinara and Ghemme in the nearby Novara province.
As with many “small” places, there is intense pride from winemaker to winemaker, both between these two towns, but also between winemakers from one town or the other. Both Ghemme and Gattinara wines are made primarily from the Nebbiolo grape (their local name for Nebbiolo is Spanna). Many people are familiar with the Nebbiolo grape when it takes the form of Barolo or Barbaresco, which are produced in the area around Alba.
Torraccia del Piantavigna winery is in Ghemme and produces both of these wines using their vineyards located around these two towns. Torraccia del Piantavigna winery is owned and managed by a family group headed by Alessandro Francoli, who started the winery in 1977 and separately operates the Luigi Francoli grappa distillery.
Torraccia’s 2004 Gattinara is 100% Nebbiolo. The wine is aged for three years and, although not required by the DOCG rule, most producers (including Torraccia) age the wine in the bottle at least another six months before releasing it.
Great wine, perfect with gnocchi al ragu’ or meat!