# Barolo Sperss (2020)

- **Producer:** Gaja
- **Colour:** red
- **Type:** still
- **Grapes:** Nebbiolo
- **Region:** Piemonte, Italy
- **Style:** Classic
- **Alcohol:** 14.0%
- **Average price:** €420
- **Contains sulphites:** Yes
- **When to drink:** Later
- **Serving temperature:** 16–18 °C
- **Aromas & flavours:** rose, ripe fruit, strawberry, black cherry, black plum, cedar, smoke, charred wood, leather, game, scorched earth, earth, incense, gravel, forest floor

## About this wine

Gaja Barolo Sperss 2020 is a 100% Nebbiolo wine from the Barolo DOCG in Piedmont, Italy. The grapes are sourced from the Sperss vineyard in Serralunga d'Alba, an area recognized for producing wines with significant structure and longevity. The Gaja family, with a winemaking history dating back to 1859, imbues their wines with a deep connection to the land, reflected in the wine's name 'Sperss,' which signifies nostalgia. The 2020 vintage has garnered significant critical attention, highlighting the quality of the grapes and the terroir.

## Interesting facts

- Sperss means 'nostalgia' in Piedmontese dialect.
- The wine undergoes a dual aging process in different types of oak.
- Gaja is a winery with a legacy dating back to 1859.
- Serralunga d'Alba is a prime Cru for powerful Barolo.

## Food pairing

The substantial tannins and full body of this Barolo are well-suited to rich, protein-heavy dishes. The wine's savory notes and complex aromas can complement the earthy and gamey flavors often found in traditional Piedmontese cuisine.

## Wine making process

The winemaking process for Gaja Barolo Sperss 2020 begins with a strictly manual harvest and meticulous selection of Nebbiolo grapes. Fermentation takes place in stainless steel vats over approximately three weeks, followed by an extended maceration period. The wine is then aged in two stages: first for 12 months in French oak barriques, and subsequently for another 12 months in large, traditional wooden barrels. Following bottling, the wine rests in the cellar for several additional months before release.