# Barolo Riserva (2011)

- **Producer:** Stefano Farina
- **Colour:** red
- **Type:** still
- **Grapes:** Nebbiolo
- **Region:** Piemonte, Italy
- **Style:** Classic
- **Alcohol:** 14.0%
- **Average price:** €30
- **Contains sulphites:** No
- **When to drink:** Now or Later
- **Serving temperature:** 18–20 °C
- **Aromas & flavours:** liquorice, red plum, red pepper, black pepper, black cherry, vanilla, cloves, cedar, earth, leather, mushroom

## About this wine

The Barolo Riserva Stefano Farina is a 100% Nebbiolo wine from the Barolo DOCG appellation in Piedmont, Italy. Produced by Tenute Stefano Farina, a winery with a family history dating back to the 1930s, this wine reflects a dedication to enhancing native grape varieties. The vineyards are located in La Morra d'Alba, characterized by sandstone and clay soils at elevations between 150 and 400 meters. The 2011 vintage experienced a warm growing season with a dry summer, followed by beneficial September rains, contributing to ripe fruit and balanced tannins in the resulting wines. This Riserva undergoes an extensive aging process, including three years in Slavonian oak casks and two years of bottle aging.

## Interesting facts

- Aged for a total of five years before release.
- Features three years in traditional Slavonian oak.
- The 2011 vintage earned multiple gold and silver medals.
- Vineyards are situated between 150 and 400 meters elevation.

## Food pairing

The wine's full body and mature tannins are well-suited to complement the richness of red meats and game. The earthy notes often found in Nebbiolo can echo the flavors of mushrooms and herbs, while the wine's structure can cut through the fattiness of dishes like braised meats.

## Wine making process

The Barolo Riserva Stefano Farina is crafted from 100% Nebbiolo grapes. Following hand-harvesting in late October, the wine undergoes alcoholic and malolactic fermentation using innovative techniques at controlled temperatures. A defining characteristic of this Riserva is its extensive aging process: three years in Slavonian oak casks, followed by two years of bottle aging. This extended maturation period is designed to develop the wine's complexity and integrate its components.