Barbatasso (2011)
SommeliAI Insights
A smooth, balanced red wine with notes of red fruit jam and a hint of white pepper.
About this wine
The Barbatasso Monsecco 2011 Colline Novaresi is a red wine made entirely from Vespolina grapes, a variety native to the Piedmont region of Italy. It has an intense ruby red color with purple hues. The aroma is fine and elegant, featuring spicy notes and hints of red fruit jam. On the palate, it is smooth, round, and balanced, with a pleasant tanginess. The sweet tannins contribute to a final taste reminiscent of toffee and white pepper. This wine showcases the unique characteristics of the Vespolina grape, which is known for its spicy profile and is often used to add complexity to Nebbiolo-based wines.
About the grape
Vespolina is a red grape variety native to northern Italy, particularly the Piedmont region, where it's been cultivated since at least the 18th century. It's often blended with Nebbiolo to add spicy notes and soften tannins, enhancing the wine's complexity. In the Colline Novaresi area, Vespolina thrives in the region's unique terroir, contributing to the distinctive character of local wines.
Quick facts
- 🐝 The name 'Vespolina' is believed to derive from the Italian word 'vespa,' meaning wasp, due to the grape's sweetness attracting wasps during harvest.
- 🍇 Vespolina is primarily cultivated in the Colline Novaresi region of Piedmont, Italy, where it thrives in the area's unique glacial moraine and alluvial soils.
- 🍷 The Barbatasso Monsecco 2011 Colline Novaresi is a red wine made predominantly from the Vespolina grape, known for its intense ruby red color with purple hues and a bouquet rich in floral notes of violet.
- 🍾 Vespolina is often blended with Nebbiolo to soften its tannins and add spicy notes, but it also produces distinctive single-varietal wines like the Barbatasso Monsecco 2011.
- 🏞️ The Colline Novaresi DOC, established in 1994, encompasses several communes in the Novara province, including Ghemme and Sizzano, and is renowned for producing high-quality Vespolina wines.
Palate profile
Producer
Monsecco is a historic winery located in the Alto Piemonte region of Italy, renowned for its dedication to producing high-quality Nebbiolo wines. Established in the 19th century, Monsecco has played a pivotal role in reviving the winemaking traditions of the Ghemme area, emphasizing the unique terroir of the region. The winery is situated in Ghemme, Italy, at approximately 45.6° N latitude and 8.4° E longitude. For more information, you can visit their website at [Monsecco Winery](https://www.monsecco.com).
