Agricola Molino Langhe Sibilla Arneis 2014
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The story begins three generations ago, at the beginning of the 1900s, when Tommaso Molino cultivated a small plot of land and traded grapes in San Damiano d ' Asti, making homemade wine.
Years later it was the turn of Virginio Molino who continued in a more complete way on this road by shifting practically all the attention to wine by trading the first bottle of Barbaresco in 1971, while over the years he understood the strategic importance of the newborn DOC denominations with more rules stringent but which would have allowed a higher production quality. Thus begins the study with his sons Tommaso, Franco and Dario for the possibilities and opportunities: the younger brother Dario studies to obtain the title of oenologist while Franco and Tommaso are divided between vineyard and commerce.
In 1991 Virginio and the three sons purchased a parcel including today's headquarters on the Ausario hill, officially starting the "modern" production that we know today with quality products in full respect of the denominations; investments over time have always paid off by increasing the production of the company which over time has purchased land in Piedelmonte and Loreto (where the Asti DOCG are grown) for a total area of ??14 hectares.
Yielding a dry and subtly scented wine, Arneis is the star white grape of Piedmont. Though the grape has been local to Roero since the 1400s, it didn’t experience real popularity until the 1980s when local demand for white wine exploded. Somm Secret—A few key Roero producers are also focusing on exploring the ageability of high quality Arneis. It is only grown outside of Piedmont to a very limited extent.
Set upon a backdrop of the visually stunning Alps, the enchanting and rolling hills of Piedmont are the source of some of the country’s longest-lived and most sought-after red wines. Vineyards cover a great majority of the land area—especially in Barolo—with the most prized sites at the top hilltops or on south-facing slopes where sunlight exposure is maximized. Piedmont has a continental climate with hot, humid summers leading to cold winters and precipitation year-round. The reliable autumnal fog provides a cooling effect, especially beneficial for Nebbiolo, Piedmont’s most prestigious variety.
In fact, Nebbiolo is named exactly for the arrival of this pre-harvest fog (called “nebbia” in Italian), which prolongs cluster hang time and allows full phenolic balance and ripeness. Harvest of Nebbiolo is last among Piedmont's wine varieties, occurring sometime in October. This grape is responsible for the exalted Piedmont wines of Barbaresco and Barolo, known for their ageability, firm tannins and hallmark aromas of tar and roses. Nebbiolo wines, despite their pale hue, pack a pleasing punch of flavor and structure; the best examples can require about a decade’s wait before they become approachable. Barbaresco tends to be more elegant in style while Barolo is more powerful. Across the Tanaro River, the Roero region, and farther north, the regions of Gattinara and Ghemme, also produce excellent quality Nebbiolo.
Easy-going Barbera is the most planted grape in Piedmont, beloved for its trademark high acidity, low tannin and juicy red fruit. Dolcetto, Piedmont’s other important red grape, is usually ready within a couple of years of release.
White wines, while less ubiquitous here, should not be missed. Key Piedmont wine varieties include Arneis, Cortese, Timorasso, Erbaluce and the sweet, charming Muscat, responsible for the brilliantly recognizable, Moscato d'Asti.