Rovellotti Ghemme Chioso dei Pomi DOCG 2007, Piedmont, Italy

The Rovellotti family traces its roots in Ghemme to the latter stages of the 15th century. The family vineyard holdings, encompassing fifteen hectares, are found in the Baraggiola zone of Ghemme, the southernmost sector of the appellation. The grapes for this cuvée are sourced from the ‘Chioso dei Pomi’ vineyard in the heart of Barragiola. The plot is approximately three hectares in size and the vines have a south-southwest exposure. The ultimate blend of grapes for the Ghemme is 85% Nebbiolo and 15% Vespolina. The Vespolina is harvested normally at the end of September while the Nebbiolo is picked after the first 10 days of October. Harvest is by hand. The grapes are fermented separately in stainless steel cuves and the fermentation extends for a minimum of ten days with frequent ‘remontage’. The malolactic fermentation occurs mostly in barrel. The wine is aged in large barrels of Slavonian oak for the first twelve months after harvest and then is racked into smaller five hectoliter barrels for an additional eighteen months. The various parts of the wine are assembled and blended together in the spring of the third year. After bottling, the wine is aged in bottle at least nine additional months before release.