9/3/26 - 

While we are all big Nebbiolo fans here at CSW, it is important to highlight the true diversity that exists in Piemonte. Grapes like Barbera and Dolcetto are included today, with deeper cuts like Freisa, Ruche, and Grignolino showing the fuller spectrum of the region. Some of the growers on today's offer are well known and some are talented newcomers. Continue reading below for notes on the wines featuring the most energetic Freisa I've had this year (my personal favorite on the list), and a special Dolcetto from Francesco Rinaldi's Cannubi holdings. We are discounting orders over $150 through the weekend as we find these wines to be lovely transitions out of August and into the hazier days of Autumn.

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Salvano, Walter 2024 Langhe Freisa - While this is a playful light red, it's far from simple. Deeply floral spice like nutmeg and cardamom pop first, then tons of tangy red fruit and a fine tannic frame. The sustainably farmed vines are 45 years old in Diano d'Alba. Walter is a young winemaker with a focus on the lesser appreciated grapes of the Langhe. He always does whole cluster fermentations, never filters, and used minimal sulfur at bottling. The whole Chambers crew loved this wine!

Crivelli 2024 Ruche di Castagnole Monferrato - Ruche is a native grape to Monferrato which has maybe not been brought to your attention because of its scant hectares. Marco Crivelli's family are stewards of Ruche, growing it organically in sandy tufa soils for 100 years and leading the association of Ruche growers. It's backbone is similar to your other favorite Piedmont reds, maybe closest to Pelaverga or Brachetto but with a more distinct perfumed bouquet. Fragrant cherries, plums, herbs & white pepper, this is a really fun wine!

Flavio Roddolo's Singular Style in Monforte - Its easy to miss Flavio Roddolo (pictured at top of article) and his property while driving around Monforte. Overgrown trees, a dirt road, and humble signage fit the ethos of a man marching to the beat of his own drum for decades. His wines are nature captured in the bottle, with Flavio gently guiding this wild process. He has farmed here his whole life in methods passed down by his father, never chemically treating the vines, fermenting spontaneously, not clarifying or filtering, practicing long aging, and releasing wines only when they are ready according to his taste. This is why we get to offer an 8 year old Dolcetto and 13 year old Barbera today! His wines are contemplative and calming and worth your time and attention.  

Drinking a little grape bottling from an iconic producer is a fun way to introduce yourself to their style. It's possible to have serious wine, from old vines, in historic zones at a great value...

Rinaldi, Francesco 2025 Dolcetto d'Alba Roussot - Carlotta and Marta Rinaldi's 50 year old Dolcetto vines are within the historic Cannubi cru! They could have favored planting more Nebbiolo, but thankfully chose to offer out this steel aged Dolcetto for a very fair price. It's pleasantly drinkable and vinous with blackberry, violets, with dusty earth and light tannins.

Rinaldi, Francesco 2025 Grignolino d'Asti - From a just-under one hectare vineyard in the commune of Montaldo Scarampi within Asti. A short 8 day maceration followed by stainless steel aging makes this is a joy to drink. Light bodied with tangy red fruit, orange zest, sweet spices and crushed flowers. 

Castello di Verduno 2024 Basadone Pelaverga - A lively and fresh Pelaverga from one of the most historic estates in Verduno- its in the name! While strawberry and raspberry first jumps out of the glass, the palate leans more savory and salty. The grapes are sourced from vineyards in the Massara and Olmo crus of Verduno. 

-Marisa Licandro

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