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2018 Barbera del Monferrato “Perlydia”
Cantine ValpaneBarbera is often considered an afterthought to Nebbiolo in the grand scheme of Piemonte’s wines, but the hierarchy is a bit different in the Monferrato. In this sunny region east of Alba, Barbera is king, and growers like Pietro Arditi of Cantine Valpane take the grape very seriously. His Perlydia is aged in concrete tanks for several years before bottling, so you know it is ready to drink upon release. While it can age for a few more years, its rich, juicy fruit and plump texture make it hard to resist today, especially when served with tomato-based pastas, pizza, or even a burger. Pietro and his family love to cook, and the wine truly shines with Piemontese specialties, which often consist of egg noodles covered with meaty ragù or aged cheeses like the local castelmagno. Valpane’s wines also represent tremendous values—you won’t find bargains like this in Barolo!
—Anthony Lynch
Wine Type: | red |
Vintage: | 2018 |
Bottle Size: | 750mL |
Blend: | Barbera |
Appellation: | Barbera del Monferrato |
Country: | Italy |
Region: | Piedmont |
Producer: | Cantine Valpane |
Winemaker: | Pietro Arditi |
Vineyard: | Planted in 2000, 1.5 ha |
Soil: | Clay, Limestone |
Aging: | Aged 2-5 years in stainless steel and cement tanks before bottling, aged one year in bottle before release |
Farming: | Sustainable |
Alcohol: | 14.5% |
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About The Producer
Cantine Valpane
About The Region
Piedmont
Kermit’s love affair with the great reds of Piemonte dates back to the early days of his career: the very first container he imported from Italy, in fact, featured legendary 1971 and 1974 Barolos from Vietti and Aldo Conterno. Regular visits since then have seen our portfolio grow to now twelve Piemontesi estates, with a strong focus on the rolling hills of the Langhe.
Nebbiolo rules these majestic, vine-covered marl slopes, giving Italy’s most mystifyingly complex, nuanced, and age-worthy reds. When crafted via traditional production methods—long macerations and extensive aging in enormous oak botti—the powerful, yet incredibly refined Barolos and Barbarescos provide haunting aromatics of tar, raspberry, incense, tea, roses, and more. At times austere in their youth but well worth the wait, they pair beautifully with the hearty local cuisine starring veal in many forms, braised beef, pastas like tajarin and agnolotti, and of course, Alba’s famous white truffles.
Surrounded by mountains on three sides, Piemonte’s climate is continental, with baking hot summers and cold winters. Nebbiolo is only part of the story here: juicy, fruity Barberas and Dolcettos represent the bread and butter throughout the region, and other native grapes like Freisa, Croatina, and the white Arneis are also noteworthy. Value abounds in the Monferrato, while Alto Piemonte also has its share of thrills to provide.
Every corner of Piemonte is rich with tradition, especially when wine is concerned. It’s no wonder we have been singing the region’s praises for over forty years.
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Kermit once said...
Kermit once said...
I want you to realize once and for all: Even the winemaker does not know what aging is going to do to a new vintage; Robert Parker does not know; I do not know. We all make educated (hopefully) guesses about what the future will bring, but guesses they are. And one of the pleasures of a wine cellar is the opportunity it provides for you to witness the evolution of your various selections. Living wines have ups and downs just as people do, periods of glory and dog days, too. If wine did not remind me of real life, I would not care about it so much.
Inspiring Thirst, page 171