Barolo, the Langhe, Europe and the world

The Langhe is one of the best areas in Italy for winegrowing. Here the Savoy Court and upper middle class - between the end of the 18th century, all of the 19th century and half of the 20th century – and later small and large winemakers made and continue to produce top quality wines. In 2014, UNESCO recognized the importance and value of the area and added the Vineyard Landscapes of Piedmont: Langhe-Roero and Monferrato to its World Heritage List. And this because these landscapes “are an outstanding living testimony to winegrowing and winemaking traditions and bear witness to a comprehensive social, rural an urban realm and sustainable economic structures”.

The area of the Langhe includes the towns of Barolo, Castiglione Falletto, Serralunga d’Alba, Monforte d’Alba, Novello, La Morra, Verduno, Grinzane Cavour, Diano d’Alba, Cherasco and Roddi which by regulation qualify for the production of the wine Barolo.

This is magical sub-region often brings to mind another magical winemaking area: Chianti. The Langhe is full of estates and towns once owned by members of the Savoy Court and in regard to wine it was considered a continuation of Burgundy.

Count Riccardo once wrote: “I am kneaded with the Langhe, its vineyards, arid fields, hazel groves, the houses clinging to the hills and the cemeteries surrounded by vineyards. This area is filled with memories and sometimes even the sun and it is my life because there is no other place in the world that makes me want to leave my mark, small as it may be, next to those who came before me. Nor is there any other place in the world that can comfort me as it does during those difficult moments that life provides day after day”.

And there is no place in the world other than Barolo for Enzo Brezza. He has an estate with 17.5 hectares of vineyards from which he makes wines appreciated the world over. Annual production is some 100,000 bottles of wine a year (35,000 of Barolo) much of which is exported to Germany, Switzerland, Norway and, above all, the United States. The vineyards are situated in the town of Barolo, 12.5 hectares; Monforte d’Alba, two hectares; Novello, one hectare; and two hectares between Diano d’Alba and Alba in the area of Nebbiolo d’Alba.

Enzo Brezza heads his family’s estate, Brezza Giacomo e Figli, and he is confident about the future having inherited his grandfather and father’s determination and confidence. He says his estate has an ancient heart, one which is made of vines, tradition and innovation, better yet evolution.

Situated at an altitude of 300m above sea level, the terroir of Barolo has characteristics that can be found in the floral freshness of Nebbiolo DOC and the fruity sensations of Nebbiolo d’Alba Vigna Santa Rosalia, in the various Barolo wines from the southwest zone of Monforte d’Alba and Novello, wines aged in large Slovenian barrels. And then there is the Barolo from the Cannubi vineyard, the quality of which was officially recognized in 1752.

The Brezza family jewel is Barolo Sarmassa Vigna Bricco, made from grapes from a hillside vineyard that enjoys a southern exposure and benefits first from the melted snow, conditions which contribute complexity and roundedness to the grapes.

“Barolo wine is a dream, a memory, a gift from the land and air of the Langhe. It is a soothing thought that restores body and soul,” wrote enologist Massimo Martinelli in his book “Barolo as I feel it”.

Photographic copyright © Enzo Di Giacomo