Support Network

Our friends and family make our support network, and we share pleasant times to keep the bonds strong.  So the occasional meal and catch up, with all the news and gossip does wonders.  Just-a-Sippy and Izy are such friends and a meal with soup and pasta was accompanied by an appropriate vino.  The 2007 Contea di Castigline Barbaresco is a label from the Cantine Castel di Boglione, a co-operative founded over 60 years ago, and now with 700 ha in Piedmonte.  As with most co-operatives, the pricing is keen and friendly, and the wines made as freely available as possible.  Just like the friendship of the network of support.

2007 was a hot and dry growing season and Barbaresco fared better than Barolo, the more elegant style having more leeway to absorb the heat and having somewhere to go.  This is classic Nebbiolo with fragrance, yes, even in such a year, with dried roses.  Not so much tar, but with savoury dried herb, leather and earthy suggestions.  There’s always a backbone of tannin, but here it’s fine with its graininess.  It allows the fruit to show through, but it does eventually build up.  There’s a femininity there and it’s easier to make the call on Barbaresco rather than Barolo.  And it’s friendly and supported the duck pasta, lubricating our relationship with our hosts.