It’s the second week of our producer centric posts and this week we’re moving onto Demarie and a chat with their top-drawer owner and sales manager, Paolo. Situated in a district called Roero, Demarie have recently completed one of the most modern wineries I’ve seen anywhere in Italy. Designed to produce top quality product year on year, it’s also designed to be a centre for oenotourism in the area, something that Italian wine regions invariably lack. I love what they’re trying to do here!
We’ve had a natter with Paolo about his role in the winery, but first, as with last week we’re going to take a look at the three wines Paolo’s kindly offered to the prize…
Arneis is one of those white wines that almost feels like a wine-o’s secret. Whilst the world has been nailing back Gavi Di Gavi from down the road, anyone who’s been to Piemonte tends to come back with a love for Arneis instead. Usually packed with lovely stone fruits and minerailty, Demarie have managed to add an extra depth of colour and nutty aftertaste that made me really fall for this one.
Made with the iconic Piemontese grape, Nebbiolo, this is one for the Barolo and the Barbaresco lovers. Demarie’s vineyards sit right in between the areas of Barolo and Barbaresco, so their Nebbiolos just get called Roero Rosso, or Riserva in this case if it’s had a bit of barrel ageing before release. Barolo’s usually a bit too fat when young, and Barbaresco is sometimes accused of being the opposite. Roero Riserva sits slap in the middle and is a great effort at being all things to all men, usually without the famous wine price tag!
In terms of sparkling, sweet wines, the famous one from this region is Moscato D’Asti. But a few years back I discovered Brachetto D’Acqui with was a sweet, sparkling red with a huge hit of red cherry and strawberries that went great with puddings. I was really chuffed the Paolo wanted to show his Brachetto in the prize, because it’s really a wine that deserves a lot more game time. Think strawberry cheesecake, with a little fruit coulis and a glass of this. Bob on!
So those were the wines, here’s what Paolo has to say for himself!
- Can you tell us a little bit about the wines our winner will be getting from you?
Absolutely!
The Demarie Roero Riserva is our pride and joy – a perfect expression of the Roero. Made with Nebbiolo grapes, Roero Riserva is similar to the famous Barolo and Barbaresco wines from across the river. It is characterized by a unique finesse and elegance, which comes mainly from Nebbiolo grown in the sandy soil of the Roero hills. To produce this wine we use grapes from our oldest Nebbiolo vineyard, planted in 1946. The bouquet is rich and intense with hints of violet, raspberries, and blackberries, tinged with elegant touches of spice. On the palate is an undertone of the pleasantly spiced fragrances of licorice and cocoa. We age the wine in small oak barriques for 12 to 18 months. It pairs perfectly with red meat, wild game, and hard cheeses.
Roero Arneis is one of the great white wines of Piedmont. Its rebirth is the result of the intuition, passion, and business acumen of the winegrowers of the Roero region. In a very short time it has made a name for itself among a list of top international quality wines. The Demarie Roero Arneis is full-bodied with a forceful, intense impact, while being delicate and well balanced. It shows hints of fruit and floral flavors of peach and apricot, wild broom, and chamomile. In the mouth it is fresh and persistent with a slightly almond aftertaste. It works well as an aperitif, pairing perfectly with hors d’oeuvres or with a light vegetable first course. For mains, try it with fish or poultry.
Finally, we have our Birbet, a Vino Spumante Aromatico di Qualità Dolce made of the Brachetto grapes. The Roero’s sandy soil is the ideal growing environment for this aromatic variety as it accentuates and concentrates its fragrance. Instead of calling it Brachetto the Roero producers use the name Birbet, which in Piedmontese means a lively and outgoing person – just like the wine. It’s also thought of as the women’s wine, because its sweet flavor is popular with females.
In the U.S. a lot of customers like it as a cocktail. Give it a try!
- The Demarie’s Birbet Cocktail:
1/3 vodka
2/3 Birbet on the rocks
Strawberry garnish on glass
Lemon or orange twist
Blueberry in glass
- What’s the best tip you can give someone on enjoying wine?
Every wine needs its glass. Use wine to rinse the glass before drinking from it. The alcohol washes away impurities like dust, detergent, etc. Then, enjoy it with a good meal, a good friend or alone in front by a fire. Be curious and experience different wines; every wine tells a story about its region of origin.
- You’ve got a weekend In Piemonte. What would you do?
A weekend is not enough, but you can get a taste of what the region has to offer. Start with a drive through the Langhe and Roero to understand the differences between the two areas. The hilly vineyard landsacpe of the Langhe shows a different kind of beauty in every season. The Roero’s varied landscape of vineyards, orchards, and forests and the famous “rocche” tell legends of witches of the past
You will find plenty of castles worth visiting, too. We suggest the castle of Grinzane Cavour, middle age style, with an ethnographic museum inside or the Barolo Castle with its modern and interactive wine museum. Then, book a visit to our modern winery. We will be happy to welcome you and recommend places for a good meals with typical dishes of Piemonte.
- If you weren’t a winemaker, what would you be?
A cook! I like to cook and eat well (I’m in the right region).
He’s a good fella, and his wines are even better. Make sure you follow the link at the bottom to sign up and enter the competition to win a Lazenne Winecheck filled with these and other fantastic wines from Piemonte!
Cheers
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A Huge Thanks To The Producers Involved
Demarie (Vezza D’Alba), Francone (Neive), Rivetto (Serralunga D’Alba), Doglia (Coazzolo)
Terms and Conditions
NO PURCHASE NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED. ONLINE ENTRY ONLY. Open to legal residents of the 50 U.S. States and D.C., the UK, and other countries where wine can be shipped from Italy. Ages 21 and older. The Sweepstakes Period begins on February 3, 2016 and ends at 11:59PM PT on March 17, 2016. There is a limit of one (1) entry, per person throughout the Sweepstakes Period.
Keep up to date with what Paolo and the team are up to on Twitter (@DemarieWines), Instagram (@DemarieWines) or on Facebook
