The Piedmontese village of La Morra stands on top of one of the many hills in the region. Just outside the village is the young winery Agricola Brandini where you can sit in the garden by the pool with a glass of their superb wine and take in the view to Mont Blanc and the Alps more than 100 miles away.
The company, which produces the famous wines of the Lange region, is “only” 24 years old and been in their current premises for 11 years but in that time the Bagnasco family has worked miracles in creating a modern / traditional winery with a reputation for high quality wines created by organic and sustainable agriculture – OHB (Organic, Human, Barolo)
They have been practicing organic agriculture since the beginning, because they want to leave their soil in a better state than they found it in and say –
‘Our wines are free…free of everything superfluous
We cultivate territory and sense of proportion’
The concept has proven to be successful and the top Barolos from Brandini are regularly rated ‘3 Bicchieri’, the top award in the Italian wine bible, Gambero Rosso.
Tasting Notes
The tasting concentrates on the entry-level Brandini wines which are made with the same methods, care and attention but the top Barolos can also be arranged.
Langhe Arneis “Le Margherite” is a fine example of this grape which yields a balanced fresh and citrussy wine with notes of aromatic herbs. Good on its own or with food.
Langhe Bianco “Le Coccinelle” has a little viognier added to the blend. This unusual combination leads the Brandini’s to nominate it as one of their “outsiders” – unique and rare wines. It is a superbly balanced wine being pleasantly tangy and fresh with notes of tropical fruit and scents of herbs – to be drunk “with whatever…. and whomever you like!”
Dolcetto d’Alba Everyday wine par excellence. It has cherry and raspberry fruit aplenty but with just enough tannin and acidity to give it grip whilst remaining easy to drink. The best Dolcetto I have tasted.
Barbera d’Alba Superiore Don’t be misled by the dandelion clock label, it would take more than a breath of wind to blow this big fella away. Exuberant vinous dark fruit nose with vanilla aromas, the flavour is intense with exceptional structure, giving hints of cocoa and liquorice. One for pasta, meats and hard cheese.
Langhe Nebbiolo Little brother of the famed Barolo, made from the same Nebbiolo grape variety (but at a much lower price!). It is fine deep and complex, with scents of rose, violet and mint.