Winemaker Notes
If the French have bistro wine, then the Italian equivalent must surely be trattoria wine: a light, fresh, all-purpose libation that you would expect to be served from a carafe in a homey little family-run joint along a winding country road. That is, in fact, how Kermit discovered Tenuta la Pergola: he found the contents of that fateful carafe worth the detour to visit the estate in the Monferrato, Piedmont’s rustic heartland of rolling hills where the vine is king. That visit resulted in this custom Piemontese blend, an adaptable bargain rosso with regional character and the ability to quench one’s thirst whenever needed.
Blend: 80% Barbera, 10% Dolcetto, 7% Bonarda, 3% Freisa
Attracting the most glory, prestige and fame to the Piedmont region, Nebbiolo in all of its expressions—Barolo, Barbaresco, Roero, Ghemme and Gattinara—creates a complex wine, truly unique for its delicate qualities combined with strength and a great potential to improve over time.
But Nebbiolo isn’t all there is to red wine from Piedmont! Barbera is the most planted variety and historically most popular as a dependable, food-friendly, everyday wine.
Beyond these two, a surprising number of red varieties call Piedmont their home. Worth a try include Dolcetto for its bold concentration and aromas of spice cake. Other grapes to investigate include Freisa, Croatina, Brachetto, Grignolino and Pelaverga.