# Barbaresco DOCG (2020)

- **Producer:** Ugo L'Equio
- **Colour:** red
- **Type:** still
- **Grapes:** 100% Nebbiolo
- **Region:** Piemonte, Italy
- **Style:** Classic
- **Alcohol:** 14.5%
- **Average price:** €32
- **Contains sulphites:** Yes
- **When to drink:** Now or Later
- **Serving temperature:** 16–18 °C
- **Aromas & flavours:** red cherry, redcurrant, wild strawberry, pomegranate, rose petals, spiced cherries, sweet tobacco, cedar, licorice, subtle spice, dried violets, cherry liqueur, blood orange, dried herbs, tar, forest floor

## About this wine

The Ugo L'Equio Barbaresco DOCG 2020 is a distinguished red wine from the renowned Barbaresco appellation in Piedmont, Italy. Produced from 100% Nebbiolo grapes sourced from the historic Gallina cru in Neive, this wine benefits from old vines planted between 1953 and 1971. Producer Ugo Lequio is known for his mastery of Nebbiolo and a philosophy centered on patience and rigorous selection, releasing his wines only after substantial aging to ensure elegance and longevity. The 2020 vintage, marked by a warm and dry season, has produced a wine of fine harmony and approachable tannins.

## Interesting facts

- Grapes come from vines planted as early as 1953.
- The Gallina cru is in the historic town of Neive.
- Wines are released only after significant bottle aging.
- Ugo Lequio is compared to legendary winemaker Bruno Giacosa.

## Food pairing

The wine's high tannins and structure are well-suited to complement the proteins in rich meat dishes, while its lively acidity cuts through fattiness. Herbal notes in the wine can echo those in the food, and its savory complexity pairs well with earthy ingredients like mushrooms and aged cheeses.

## Wine making process

The production of Ugo L'Equio Barbaresco DOCG 2020 begins with meticulous hand-harvesting and rigorous grape selection from old vines in the Gallina cru. Fermentation takes place in temperature-controlled stainless steel tanks with 15-18 days of skin maceration. The wine is then aged for 20 months in large Slavonian oak casks, followed by a further 6 months of bottle aging before release. This process emphasizes patience and quality, aiming for elegance and longevity.