Enrico Serafino, Langhe DOC (Piedmont, Italy) Nebbiolo 2018

 Until 2017, the grape called Picotener in the Val d’Aosta of northern Italy was thought to be one of many synonyms of Nebbiolo.  That year a study by Giorgio Gambino, et al., was published in Scientific Reports from Nature Portfolio.  Whole-genome sequencing was performed on three Nebbiolo clones from different geographical origins.  The report stated, “for the first time it was possible to discriminate some ‘Nebbiolo’ clones from the others.”  At the Enrico Serafino winery they had found that they have this grape in several vineyards.  This wine is the result. Its color is dark ruby, with aromas and flavors of savory black cherries, raspberries with light notes of tar.  It is bone dry and medium bodied with crisp acidity and chewy tannins.  Enjoy it with a grilled steak or a mushroom ragout.