Produttori di Carema Carema Riserva 2019

If you’re asking what Carema is, that’s okay. It’s Nebbiolo made in a tiny sub-appellation in Piedmont, right on the Valle d’Aosta border. Importer Neil Rosenthal once explained, “Barolo is Piedmont’s prized fighter but Carema is the ballerina.” I can see what he means.

This is an elegant Nebbiolo made off of little parcels atop government subsidized hillsides. It’s a high altitude expression of Nebbiolo, I find it usually mirrors Barbaresco more than Barolo. The best way to put it might be that it’s a wine that bridges the gap between Barolo and Burgundy better than anything.

If you find that this one has some Barolo characteristics though, there’s also a reason for that. The wine is made by the ultra-formidable Roberto Contero of Giacomo Conterno fame, who makes this wine because he absolutely loves Carema and loves being a part of its journey.