2022 Giacomo Conterno Nebbiolo d'Alba Vigna Arione, Piedmont, Italy Scar of the Sea 8 hectares worth of Chardonnay

8 hectares worth of Chardonnay in the gravelly marl of the vineyards Curoulet and La Platière

while about 10% is fermented whole in 450 L barrels that are rolled rather than punched down (“vinification intégrale”)

six months’ worth of maceration

this zero-zero blend is medium-bodied with firm

It is legal to add sugar in three steps in making Champagne: chaptalization

2022 Giacomo Conterno Nebbiolo d'Alba Vigna Arione, Piedmont, Italy Scar of the Sea 8 hectares worth of ChardonnayFrom Vigna Arione, Giacomo Conternos historic Serralunga dAlba site, bottled here as Nebbiolo dAlba rather than Barolo. Arione is prized for tannin architecture and longevitya high structure, low noise expression of Nebbiolo thats more about framework than immediacy. Conternos approach is classic and controlled: fermentation on skins, extended maceration, then levage in large oak (botti) to preserve site signature and minimize cosmetic winemaking.