Tacchino Piedmonte Rosso Buongiorno 2018

ripe black cherry, fresh blackcurrant, dried fig, and black licorice

Though the great wines of Piemonte are often varietal bottlings, sourced from 100% Nebbiolo, Dolcetto, or Barbera, we here at Tim’s Wine Market have recently been drawn to the Piemonte Rosso DOC. This is a category which encompasses over 15 different grape varieties, often blended together, which allows winemakers greater creative freedom in both the vineyard and the winery. Of course it helps that the wines are often excellent values as well.

This week’s second feature is produced by the Tacchino winery in Alto Monferrato, a sub-zone of Piemonte that our Explorer’s Club members may recognize from November. Winemaker Romina Tacchino, together with her brother Alessio, produces this easy-drinking red blend from Dolcetto, Barbera, and a small amount of Cabernet Sauvignon. All fruit is cultivated organically, dry farmed, and harvested by hand. The finished wine matures in stainless steel for 12-24 months and sees an additional year of bottle age before release.

When you open this wine, I strongly recommend decanting for 15-30 minutes. In addition, I would recommend serving this wine slightly chilled, around cellar temperature or 55 degrees. Once this wine has some time to open up, it delivers notes of ripe black cherry, fresh blackcurrant, dried fig, and black licorice. Drink now through 2025 with gnocchi with brown butter and sage, pappardelle with mushrooms, or a sausage calzone.