Winemaker Notes
In recent years, "Braida" has expanded and grown, still faithful to the philosophy of Giacomo and Anna Bologna and to their way of understanding life, land, wine and friendships. In 1990, after Giacomo’s premature death, Anna and her children Raffaella and Giuseppe (nicknamed Beppe) carried on and concluded the projects he had initiated. Since the early year 2010 the winery is run by Raffaella and Giuseppe Bologna, representing the third generation of winemakers on the "Braida" winery. Raffaella is responsible for sales and marketing, while Beppe is in charge of the wine making and managing the agricultural part. Wine is their life. They enthusiastically champion wine, its culture and the land on which it grows. This love has also conquered their partners who have become active members of the family: Cristina, Beppe's wife and mother of Greta and Giacomo, works in administration, while Raffaella’s husband, Norbert Reinisch-Bologna, an Austrian doctor, is Braida's export director. Decisions about important projects and investments are always taken jointly, endeavouring to produce high quality wine and supported by a motivated team that tackles daily tasks with energy and enthusiasm.
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.
Made in a handful of wine regions across the globe, red sparkling wine ranges from delicately sweet to bone dry. While styles vary by region, red sparkling wine production methods are often the decision of the winemaker. For serving, cool red sparkling wine down to about 40F to 50F.