subject: Get the Perfect 2003 M. Marengo Barolo Brunate [print this page] Barolo Barolo
The Birth of Barolo
Back in the 1970's, a group of innovative and high-quality minded wine vintners in the Tuscany region of Italy with the intention of producing wines that would become the standard in the industry and offset the many "spaghetti chiantis" that had ruled the market for so long. Procuring what most considered the worst land for growing anywhere in the Tuscany region, these vintners planted their vineyards.
Their inspiration came from the Sassicaia wine produced years before by the Marquis Mario Incisa della Rocchetta. This particular artisan wine broke every D.O.C. rule imaginable. In the beginning, the Cabernet Sauvignons were all imported from the Bordeaux region of France and were aged in French "barriques" or barrels. Prior to this time, most Italian wines were being aged in large oak casks from Slovenia. Even worse was the fact that chestnut wood casks were also used.
The first Sassicaia wines were produced in the 1940's and were very coarse, peculiar wines. However, by the 1960's, the Marquis' techniques had been considerably improved and his wines turned out to be some of the most delectable wines in the industry. Initially, the first quantities of his wine that were produced were minimal in number. But in 1971, the first Sassicaia was bottled and became the model standard for how these Barolo would continually be produced.
Important considerations
When the Barolo first hit the market in the 1970's, they were viewed as the rebels of the Italian wine industry. The vintners all opted to produce an assortment of blended wines and varietals using unorthodox aging methods and not conforming to the traditional D.O.C. guidelines and rules. If you have gotten bored with the conventional Cabernets and Merlots, you should definitely consider trying any of the Super Tuscans. Here are a few important considerations regarding these wines:
Remember that most Barolo are a blend of two or even three wines, but there are some very flavorful varietals available as well. The Cabernet Sauvignon-Sangiovese blend is the most common of the Super Tuscans, but don't overlook the 100% varietals out there when adding these to your wine cellar, collection, or inventory.
Learn to recognize the flavor characteristics of Barolo. Acidity that is well-balanced, a blend of berry fruit flavors, and a softer tannic structure are the main characteristics of these wines.
Learn about your red wine of preference. Although there are some Super Tuscan varietals available, the majority of them are unique, flavorful blends of up to three different wines. If your preference is a tasty Cabernet, it's recommended that you select one of the Super Tuscans that features a dominant Cabernet Sauvignon grape.
If you're shopping for a higher priced wine, select any of the Antinori's. If you're looking for a red wine that is full bodied, try the Antinori Guado Al Tasso. Conversely, if you are searching for a more complex wine that is well-rounded, rich in darker ripe fruit flavor, and features a lingering finish, then you should try the Antinori Tiganello.
