Travaglini Gattinara 2018

Region: Gattinara, Alto Piemonte, Piedmont, Italy
Grape(s): Nebbiolo
Winemaker: Massimo Collauto
Drinks Best: Now - 20 Years

Gattinara was the historical cradle of winemaking in Piedmont before a combination of phylloxera, devastating hail events, and two World Wars brought the local wine industry to near total collapse. The Travaglini family started making wine here in the 1920s, and as one of the sole survivors of those tough times they qualify as the old guard of Gattinara. Grapes grow on red volcanic soil here, yielding wines of intense minerality and a distinct iron note. Nebbiolo from this area shows sweet red cherry, violets, and rose petals, with an elegance and a lightness that sets it apart from the more muscular style of Nebbiolo from Barolo. Aging in large old vats has mellowed out the tannins in this medium-bodied red.

Pairings: Short ribs braised in red wine with mushrooms