Red
Fara
By Francesca Castaldi, Alto Piemonte, Piemonte, Italy
A Fara DOC blend of Nebbiolo and Vespolina from vineyards on the Briona hilltop, aged 24 months in large oak casks before bottling.
Tasting notes
Light ruby red with garnet reflections. The warmth of the vintage comes through on the nose alongside characteristic red berries and riper red fruit notes, in harmony with the hill's typical balsamic note. Full, robust and dry on the palate, with lively but well integrated tannins and spice from the Vespolina grape.
Pairs well with
Braised meats, game and long-aged cheeses.
Technical details
- Style
- Red
- Denomination
- Fara DOC
- Grape
- Nebbiolo 70%, Vespolina 30%
- Production area
- On the plateau at the top of the Briona hill.
- Soil
- Silty clay loam, pH 4.5 to 5.
- Exposure
- Full sun from morning to sunset; cool air currents from Monte Rosa create strong day-night temperature swings that enhance the grapes' aromas.
- Harvest
- Late September to early October.
- Vinification
- Grapes are hand-picked in about 20 kg crates. Because Nebbiolo and Vespolina ripen at different times they are vinified separately then blended. Both ferment spontaneously in cement tanks; the Nebbiolo undergoes a long submerged-cap maceration of about 30 to 40 days. After racking, the blend rests in large oak casks (20 hl) for about 24 months, then returns to cement to shed its last sediment before bottling the following summer. Bottles are held for a year before release.
- Serving temperature
- Around 20°C.