Piedmont, Italy.....
Textbook Barbera d'Alba, medium bodied with fresh, brambly blue fruit on the nose, the palate is elegant, revealing concentrated flavors of red berry with a hint of spice; the finish is long with some vegetal notes and pronounced acidity.
In the local dialect of old rural Piedmont the word "beni", meaning "property, assets", has always been used with a slightly different meaning, denoting not only the farming land belonging to large landowners, but also small-holdings: "andè nti beni" means going out into the fields or the vineyards to work or to give instruction. Nourishment comes from the land - the asset par excellence - and the soul of the farmer, who identifies himself with his property, is inextricably tied to the land. The "Beni di Batasiolo", the amphitheatre of vineyards surrounding our cellars, was the original setting for our company. Over the years other farms - other "properties" - have been added to this nucleus, and now the estate covers nearly one hundred hectares of vineyards, making it one of the largest farming concerns in the Langhe. "Batasiolo" has been joined by "Boscareto", a headland stretching down into the valley and planted to the south-west with precious nebbiolo grapes, while on the slopes facing north-west the fragrant moscato variety has found its ideal habitat; "Briccolina", a small, highly-prized property just outside the village of Serralunga Alba; "Bricco", above Verne, where the view sweeps out across the vineyards of Barolo to the vast plain below and the mountains in the distance; "Bofani" in the historical centre of the Barolo wine-growing area, Bussia Sottana: "Morino", in La Morra, which is mainly planted with Chardonnay; "Zonchetta" in Cerequio on the way up to La Morra; "Tantesi", immersed in the gentle hills of Monforte di Alba. The bonds with the land are fundamental for a wine-growing company which has inherited the truest farming traditions of Piedmont. Wine is made with skiful, loving care in the winery, but it is created in the vineyard. "Beni di Batasiolo" sets out - in its name as well - to reflect this age-old intrinsic truth.