# La Court Nizza Riserva (2021)

- **Producer:** Michele Chiarlo
- **Colour:** red
- **Type:** still
- **Grapes:** Barbera
- **Region:** Piedmont, Italy
- **Style:** Classic
- **Alcohol:** 14.5%
- **Contains sulphites:** No
- **When to drink:** Later
- **Serving temperature:** 16–18 °C
- **Aromas & flavours:** black cherry, black plum, mint, chocolate, vanilla, coffee

## About this wine

La Court Nizza Riserva is a 100% Barbera red wine from Michele Chiarlo, hailing from the Nizza DOCG appellation in Piedmont, Italy. The wine originates from the esteemed La Court vineyard in the Nizza Monferrato area, a site recognized for its exceptional Barbera cultivation. Michele Chiarlo, a family-owned winery established in 1956, focuses on expressing Piedmont's terroirs through minimal intervention and sustainable viticulture. The La Court vineyard, acquired in 1995, is considered a benchmark for Nizza DOCG wines. This Riserva designation indicates a wine of significant quality and aging potential, produced from old vines (over 50 years) and only in select vintages. The 2021 vintage benefited from ideal climatic conditions in Piedmont, promoting precise ripeness at harvest.

## Interesting facts

- La Court vineyard is referred to as the 'Chateaux del Nizza Docg'.
- Produced only in exceptional vintages.
- Vines in the La Court vineyard are over 50 years old.
- Nizza DOCG Riserva signifies high quality and aging potential.

## Food pairing

The wine's full body and velvety tannins are well-suited to complement the protein and fat in richer dishes. Its vibrant acidity cuts through richness, cleansing the palate, while the dark fruit and subtle earthy notes can echo or contrast with savory ingredients.

## Wine making process

La Court Nizza Riserva is produced from 100% Barbera grapes. Following a manual harvest, fermentation takes place in steel tanks and large oak vats for 10-12 days with maceration on the skins, utilizing a soft 'shower' system. Fermentation temperatures are maintained between 27°C and 30°C. Malolactic fermentation occurs in steel tanks. The wine is then aged for a total of 30 months, with 12 months spent in large oak casks (55 hl French oak barrels and Allier oak barriques) and a minimum of 18 months of refinement in bottle. The winery practices sustainable viticulture and integrated production techniques.