Iuli Vino Rosso La Rina 2022

Where: Piedmont, Italy
Grapes: 100% Slarina
Body: Medium
Category: Red Wine 

La Rina is 100% Slarina, another indigenous Piedmontese variety that had nearly disappeared. Aged in concrete, bright and fresh, with red berries, mountain herbs, and just enough tannic structure to pair with Thanksgiving dinner this year. 

organic  // native yeasts // low sulfites added 

2022  //  750ml

Today, Fabrizio is the only winegrower in the town. His first commerical vintage was 1998, with his Barbera called Rossore.  The grapes found in his vineyards are Baratuciat (a nearly-extinct white variety from the Val di Susa), Slarina (a red Monferrato variety also almost lost), Grignolino, Nebbiolo, Pinot Nero, and, of course, Barbera. There are 35 contiguous hectares of land in one valley, with 16 hectares planted to vine. Certified organic, the land has never seen any chemicals. Despite being ridiculed by neighbors, Fabrizio's grandfather and father never succumbed to pressure to buy products they felt were meant to fix something that wasn't broken.  The isolation of the place suits Fabrizio's desire to instigate and protect biodiversity.  The thick surrounding woods keep the prospect of a monoculture at bay.  They contain many white truffles in the season; they also house many wild boar, who can and do devour a crop of grapes. Some end up at Cascina Iuli in the form of 'Barbera Pig' stew.