Cascina Barisél / Franco Penna
With just 5 hectares, Franco Penna's winery is small but exquisite. The estate near Canelli, east of Alba, comprises only the very best south-facing sites with calcareous soils. Franco's father Enrico, who bought the estate in the 1960s, obviously knew what he was doing.
Practically half of the vineyard is planted with Moscato bianco. One hectare is dedicated to Barbera, from which La Cappelletta is made, and the remaining land planted with Dolcetto and Favorita. In recent years, Franco Penna, like so many other winemakers, has adapted his winegrowing and increasingly relies on organic methods. The vineyards around Canelli are among the most valuable in Piedmont, especially because of the fragrant, finely sparkling Moscato d'Asti. Franco Penna is committed to keeping these soils alive through the appropriate cultivation.
Sweet wines from Cascina Barisél / Franco Penna
from Cascina Barisél / Franco Penna
La Cappelletta is vinified only in the very best years. The vines were planted in 1955. The yields are low, with about 500 grams per vine. The wine is aged for 12 to 16 months in barriques and spends at least one more year in the bottle before being released for sale. A classic Barbera of considerable stature.
Producer
Domaine de Ferrand
Philippe Bravay represents the fourth generation of the family that owns Domaine de Ferrand. The winery can be traced back to the 17th century. Philippe’s parents sold the grapes to wine merchants. But he decided to press and bottle his own wine.
Descendientes de J. Palacios, S.L.
In the late 1990s, Álvaro Palacios came to Bierzo in search of a new challenge after having achieved great success in the Priorat. Bierzo, in the far northwest of Castilla y León, awaited him with its wild, craggy landscape where heather, rock roses and holly oaks dominate the flora, with its climatic and geological characteristics, and with the fascinating grape variety Mencía.
Bodegas Antídoto
The wines of Bodegas Antídoto from the rugged province of Soria offer a stylistic contrast to the classic, often opulent Ribera del Duero wines. This region, an almost forgotten gem, stood in the shadow of big names for decades – but today it is experiencing an impressive renaissance with wines full of finesse and character.