Seth's Staff Pick - Azelia Barolo

Azelia Barolo 2018

Region: Barolo, Langhe, Piedmont, Italy
Grape: Nebbiolo
Drinks Best: Now - 5 Years

Seth's Notes:

When the weather turns cold, I tend to turn to the fuller-bodied reds and the richer meals that will pair with them. Perhaps my favorite wine and food combo to bust out this time of year is a Barolo matched with just about any slowly braised meat dish. Made from Nebbiolo from the Piedmont region in the Italian northwest, these wines are packed with acidity and tannins encouraging you to take another bite of your long cooked meal. The Azelia is a classic yet approachable incarnation of Barolo with tart red fruits, pretty floral notes, and the structure and earth you are looking for. Not a daily wine yet a relative bargain for a classic Barolo.

To Pair?

Throw some short ribs in the crockpot in the AM and put them on top of some creamy polenta for dinner - or ask for an Instant Pot for the holidays and knock the whole thing out after work!

What do I like to drink?

I tend to lean into ‘old world’ styles of wines - but that doesn’t mean only wines from the old world - that have great acidity to them. These wines are naturally food friendly... and I like to do some damage in the kitchen. But overall I’m a very seasonal wine drinker - warm weather has me leaning into fresh rosés and vibrant whites and when the weather turns cool, I love some Nebbiolo and heavier reds to go with the braised and richer foods of the season.