Many would argue that Barolo needs no introduction, yet for an equal amount this legendary wine remains shrouded in mystery as jaw dropping prices only create more barriers to discovery. Iconic names such as Aldo Conterno, Bruno Giacosa and Paolo Scavino are well coveted, their presence compulsory in any serious cellar, but what of the other tiny estates of Barolo and where does one start when seeking to indulge in the hedonistic pleasures originating from this infamous stretch of land?

Barolo should be and often is, the rich, dramatic, powerful and masculine expression of the Nebbiolo grape, a grape that has found a perfect home in the subtle microclimates of elven communes of the Langhe area of Piemonte in North West Italy. The name Barolo takes its name from the commune of Barolo, which along with La Morra, Castiglione Falletto, Monforte d’Alba and Serralunga d’Alba is the most important.

So why is Barolo so good? Well firstly, in 1980 Barolo was promoted from its DOC status to DOCG and subsequently new, sensible and forward thinking conditions were set down to ensure overall quality was maintained and a few poorly made examples didn’t spoil the wine’s historically good reputation. Maximum yields were … Read more…

Romania is certainly not the first country that springs to mind when pondering tasting something new. But perhaps it should be. Rich in cultural tradition and wine making values Romania has been somewhat left behind in a commercial sense, a turbulent past somewhat denting progress in recent decades. Romania’s 2007 entry into the European Union however demonstrates just how far the country has come since the collapse of Communism in 1989 and as Europe’s 5^th biggest wine producer there is plenty to get excited about for the bargain hunting wine lover.

Although quality can be inconsistent and some regions are in desperate need of investment to become serious commercial players, the wealth of indigenous grapes and huge variety of soils and microclimates mean there is incredible potential for stunning wines that express the people and places from which they are made.

The key region is Dealu Mare, located in the province of Wallachia in the south of the country, where age worthy quality reds can be found. With around 14,500 compact hectares of vineyard the region benefits from the rich soils of the Carpathian mountain foothills as well as south facing exposure that ensures a lengthy ripening period. International varieties such … Read more…