Luigi Pira - Langhe Nebbiolo DOC 2023

Aromas of red fruit, roses and undergrowth, with subtle spicy notes. Full-bodied and structured, with ripe, fine-grained tannins, fresh acidity and a long, elegant finish.

Excellent with grilled meats, risotto, poultry, veal and semi-hard cheeses. Also pairs beautifully with creamy pasta dishes. Serve at 16–18 °C.

From the terrace of winemaker Gianpaolo Pira, you look out over two historic crus of Serralunga d’Alba: Marenca and Margheria, where he produces his Barolos. A little further on, you can also see the slopes of the legendary Vigna Rionda, one of the world’s most renowned vineyards, from which Pira also produces a Barolo.

The winery is named after its founder, Luigi Pira, who passed away in 2021. For decades, he grew grapes in and around Serralunga, selling them to the leading wineries of Alba. In the 1980s, he began bottling wines under his own label, with quality as his highest priority. In the early 1990s, his son Gianpaolo continued this approach, with drinkability and an even greater focus on quality as his priorities. In addition to being the winemaker, he is also a passionate white truffle hunter, a good friend and the face of the estate. He oversees the cellar, while his brothers Romolo and Claudio generally work in the vineyards.

Pira produces a classic, high-quality range of Piedmontese red wines, with the Barolos as its flagship wines: wines full of character that reflect the family’s roots in Serralunga. The winemaking approach is relatively modern. For the Barolo Vigna Rionda and Barolo Marenca, both small and large oak casks are used, while the other Barolos are aged exclusively in large botti. At Pira, great attention is paid to what each grape needs to produce the finest possible Barolo, expressing its origins as precisely as possible.

The result is wines full of character, depth and structure, where every glass offers something new to discover. Like the people of Piedmont, Pira’s Barolos need a little time to open up. Give the wine some time to breathe and swirl it gently in the glass, and you will be rewarded with a wine of impressive depth and presence.

Sourced from the lower parts of the Marenca and Margheria MGAs in Serralunga d’Alba. The limestone- and clay-rich soils and south-southwestern exposure give the Nebbiolo ripe fruit, structure and freshness.

The grapes ferment for approximately 18–20 days in stainless steel tanks. The wine then ages for 9 months in large 25-hectolitre Slavonian oak casks. The large, seasoned oak softens the tannins without compromising the structure of the Nebbiolo.

A structured Langhe Nebbiolo that can develop beautifully over several years. Already approachable now, but can be cellared for around 5–7 years after the vintage.