La Pranda Cantine del Nebbiolo: a Squeeze of Piedmont

Having Piedmontese friends has many advantages, even if for a Neapolitan, eating at 12:30 or even at 1 o'clock could be a problem!
Piedmont is a region that, from an oenological point of view, needs no introduction, but you can find yourself lost if you're looking for a wine perhaps less well-known than the usual ones.
This hidden gem has been tasted by experts such as Luca Maroni and the late Veronelli — I, until recently, had never tried it myself.
We are talking about a Langhe Rosso produced from organic grapes, thanks to the work of Cantina del Nebbiolo, headquartered in the province of Cuneo.

It should be noted that until February 9, 2012, European regulations did not include the definition of organic wine, but it was possible to indicate on the label "wine made from organic grapes"; in this regard, countries such as the USA, Chile, Australia, and South Africa were well ahead of old Europe. For wines vinified before August 2012, the regulations authorize commercialization with the old designation. More information can be found within our ABC of Wine guide, including one that covers regulations and the organic wine label.

The wine is born from a "blend" of Barbera (predominantly), Nebbiolo, Freisa, Dolcetto, and Neretta Cuneese. It is practically as if they had brought together the entire great tradition of Piedmontese reds into a single bottle!
Stay away from this product if you can't handle alcohol or if you don't enjoy high-alcohol wines: we are about to savour 15% vol..

Before us, in the glass, a deep purple with subtle violet hues at the surface; on the nose, spices are immediately apparent — particularly pepper — along with woodland undergrowth, wild strawberries, redcurrant, and blackberries. It has a substantial body and a well-balanced structure; the finish is also good. What is surprising is the fresh acidity.
We recommend drinking it at around 20°C to fully appreciate it, and pairing it with red meat sauces: luckily, we had a beautiful lasagna at the table! A wine like this deserves a solid base!