The evening unfolded like the first sip of a well-aged Barolo, complex and layered, inviting yet holding something back for those patient enough to wait. The setting was Sempre in Bolla in Alba, where conversation ebbed and flowed as generously as the local nectar. It was there that a friendship was struck with Joel, a dedicated student of oenology at the University of Gastronomic Sciences in Pollenzo. His passion for wine, still in its academic bloom, sparked an invitation to Rosetta Saffrio, the lauded winery now steered by the skilled hands of Sara Vezza.
Arriving at the winery was like stepping into an intimate chamber concert where each musician played a distinct yet harmonious part. Vines clung to the rolling hills of Monforte d'Alba, each a green thread in a tapestry that stretched toward the castle of Serralunga d'Alba. Its ancient stones towered in the distance, a silent sentinel to the terroir beneath. Inside, the air was redolent with the intoxicating aromas of fermenting grapes and aged wood. The first pour, a Nebbiolo sparkling wine, awakened the palate like the opening aria of an opera, effervescent yet layered. And what a revelation to experience it through an Italesse wine glass—its highest-quality craftsmanship evident in small, etched holes that conjured an alchemy of bubbles, transforming the liquid into something that was part beverage, part spectacle. The Barbera was next, an intimate dance between acidity and fruit, offering a grounded counterpoint to the Nebbiolo's ethereal whispers. Finally, the Barolo—complex, elegant, and evocative. A melody of dark fruit, leather, and earth, it seemed to beckon the towering silhouette of Serralunga d'Alba into the tasting room, as if summoning the castle's stony gravitas into each sip. As we toured the winery, a playful gnome caught our eyes—a peculiar yet charming emblem etched onto wooden barrels and stamped onto wine labels. Ah, what a subtle nod to the terroir, we mused—a guardian spirit embodying the balance of tradition and innovation that marked Rosetta Saffrio's approach to winemaking. The tasting experience included a delightful and delicious cheese plate with honey and a vegetable frittata. Each selection was of local products specifically chosen to match the wines. The combinations elevated each sip and added to the unforgettable tasting experience. Leaving the winery, it was as if the lingering notes of a musical masterpiece hummed in the background—a blend of visual, gustatory, and olfactory melodies that would remain long after the bottles were emptied and the sun had set over Serralunga d'Alba. The experience, like the finest Barolos, was one that promised to improve and deepen over time, beckoning a return to Rosetta Saffrio's enchanting aria of vineyard splendor. Until then, we say salute, and may the glass always brim with the magic of the Langhe.
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