Winery	Wine	Vintage	Dosage	Point Score	Tasting Notes
Terrabianca		2021	extra brut	90	Floral aromas that include roses. Creamy body, bright acidity. Well balanced.
Ferraris Agricola	Tenuta Santa Chiara	2021	brut	90	Bright and powerful aromas in this medium body wine with a bright citrus finish.
Vite Colte	Cinquecento	2021	brut	91	Creamy, oaky, buttery aromas. Bright acidity. Chewy mid palate with flavors of green apples.
Carlin de Paolo		2020	pas dosè	90.5	powerful aromas of caramel and toast. Linear mid palated with flavors of green apples on the finish.
Cerrino		2020	pas dosè	90.5	Creamy, harmonious, enticing, nutty aromas. Fruity body with crisp acidity.
Fabio Perrone		2020	pas dosè	90	Aromas of green grass and caramel. Somethwat linear mid palate with bright acidity.
Garesio		2020	pas dosè	90	Aromas of butterscrotch, buttered toast, limes and green apples. Bright lime acdity on the finish.
LHV Avezza		2020	pas dosè	90.5	Aromas include butter, caramel, mandarins and limes. Full and generous mid palate. Slightly complex with a nutty finish.
Mauro Sebaste	Avremo	2020	pas dosè	90.5	Aromas of butter and lime. Clean acidity in a clean mid palate. Precise and focused flavors.
Pecchenino	Psea	2020	pas dosè	90.5	Clean, bright and acidic aromas. Fruity and slightly complex mid palate.
Pianbello	Orme	2020	pas dosè	91	Generous and varied aromas that include mandarins, limes and slight caramel. In the mouth – clean acidity with harmonious balance. Fresh, though somewhat linear.
Rizzi		2020	pas dosè	90.5	Attractively crisp and clean aromas of limes, butterscrotch, lemon grass and candy cane. Generous and complex mid palate.
Banfi	Cuvée Aurora	2020	extra brut	90.5	Creamy, layered, complex aromas that include butter and nuts. Medium body with flavors not as quite compelling as the aromas.
Bera	Bera Blanc	2020	extra brut	91	Nutty and buttery, aromas include hazelnuts and lime. Crisp acidity with fine and focused tropicals and a pleasing finish that includes a slight flavor of toffee.
Daffara & Grasso		2020	extra brut	90	Nutty aromas. Bright acidity with spearmint flavors on the finish.
Ettore Germano		2020	extra brut	91.5	Coaxing and sexy aromas of caramel and toffee as well as peppermint, mango and lemon. A pleasing, generous, complex and harmonious wine with mid palate flavors that include lemon grass and tropicals.
Ivaldi	Andrea	2020	extra brut	90.5	Slightly complex aromas of rum and butter. Hefty body with an oily mouth feel. Balanced but somewhat linear flavors.
La Fusina		2020	extra brut	91+	Creamy and ebullient aromas of lemongrass, guava, spearmint, lime and lemon. Beautiful mouthful of balanced, varied flavors that include toast and butterscotch; sparky acidity on the finish.
Marco Capra	Seitremenda	2020	extra brut	91	Brisk, acidic, tangy aromas of green apples, green grass, lime, brioche and toast. Pleasing creamy mid palate, slighlyt complex and with a buttery finish.
Marziano Abbona		2020	extra brut	91+	Bright aromas of florals that include lilacs, as well as guava and butterscotch. Layered and crisp acidity, tropical flavors mid palate and slight brioche.
Massimo Rivetti		2020	extra brut	91.5	Brisk, bright, layered and complex aromas that include white pears and prunes, spearmint and chestnuts. A lovely, balanced mid palate, Crisp and focused acidity. This will make you salivate.
Matteo Correggia	Severina	2020	extra brut	91	Clean aromas of guavas, spearmint, slight peppermint. Fresh mid palate and a buttery finish that is slightly complex.
Monsignore		2020	extra brut	91	Aromas of pineapple, sandalwood and teak. Clean moutfhul with a syrupy finish. Fine acidity, generous mid palate that is balanced and clean.
Roccasanta		2020	extra brut	92	Light and fluffy aromas include tropicals and spearmint, lime and mint. Balanced and lovely, luscious mid palate with flavors of brioche, mint, mangos. Firm and bright acidity.
Terre del Barolo	Vinum Vita Est	2020	extra brut	92	Fine and attractive aromas include spearmint, brioche, tropicals as well as caramel and toffie. Clean and compelling mid palate that balanced with fresh tropical fruits and bread dough. Luscrious caramel flavor on the finish.
Vallebelbo	Collezione ’56	2020	extra brut	92	Bright, complext and forthright aromas of spearmint, guava, mango, pineapples, some salinity and caramel. A light, fresh and balanced sparkling wine with bright acidity, mid palate and toffee on the finish.
Araldica	Il Cascinone Alasia	2020	brut	92	Full bouquet of fresh flower aromas including lilacs and bluebells, as well as tropical fruits – mango, pineapple. A tropical flush. Well integrated mid palate with flavors of tropicals as well as some toast and butter on the finish.
Cascina Cerutti	Cuvée Enrico Cerutti	2020	brut	91.5	Sparky, flinty, boisterous aromas of Queen of the Night, mangos, guavas and limes. Deliciously well balanced with flavors of butter and mangos. Clean acidity.
Colombo	Blanc de Blancs	2020	brut	91.5	Fun, fresh, sparky spearmint aromas as well as lime, lemons and juicy fruit. Full rounded mouthful, not scintillating but somewhat complex. Bright acidity.
Cuvage		2020	brut	92	Creamy aromas of lime, spearmint, fresh baguette. A pleasant mouthful that is rich and complex with flavors that include tropicals and caramel. Pair with grilled honey glazed pork or chicken. Gastronomic wine.
Deltetto		2020	brut	91.5	Clean, generous aromas of tropicals and florals as well as wet granit, gorse, lime and peppermint. Full, rich, supple mid palate with an oily mouth feel. Hefty and yet also delicate.
Fontanafredda	Limited Edition	2020	brut	92	Generous aromas that include caramel, buttered toast, slight anise and salinity. A sweet and full mouthful that is balanced, poised with bright acidity, tropicals flavors and a slight mandarin finish.
Garbarino Roberto	La Sorgente	2020	brut	92+	Rich aromas of caramel, butterscotch, chestnuts, mint and mango. Rich mid palate with fine flavors that include lime, brioche and pineapple. Delicate and with finesse. Clean acidity.
Paolo Berutti		2020	brut	92+	Almost spicy aromas that include salt, petrol and tropicals. Lovely mid palate that is full, creamy, balanced and filled with a complex array of flavors including mint; nuttiness on finish.
Reva	Solonoir	2020	brut	92	Buttery and butterscotch aromas, as well as guava and gooseberries. Creamy and tropical laden mid palate. Juicy acidity. A zesty and playful wine to sip before dinner.
Sara Vezza		2020	brut	91	Aromas of butter, peanuts, lime zest and lemon grass. Pleasing though somewhat unremarkable mid palate that includes flavors of guava and some bread dough.
Tenuta Carretta	Airali	2020	brut	92+	Wispy, feather light and creamy aromas of light tropicals as well as green grass. Delightful mid palate with clean acidity, sparky tropical flavors as well as some caramel and brioche. Touche!
Vinchio Vaglio		2020	brut	92+	Sparky aromas of spearmint, salt, lime and menthol. Rich mid palate with flavors that include tropicals, guava, brioche and nuttiness.
TT		2020		92.5	Sexy and rounded aromas that include caramel, toffee, brioche and chestnuts. Beautiful mid palate that is complex, rich and layered. Includes a backdrop of tropicals behind mid palate flavors that include baguette and toffee.
Pasquale Pelissero		2019	pas dosè	91.5	Bright and flinty aromas of lime, mint and lemongrass as well as peanuts and salinity. A fine mouthful of light flavors. Not nuanced but includes a creamy finish and sparking acidity.
Tenuta Rocca		2019	extra brut	92	Aromas of toffee, caramel, green apples and mangos. A balanced and delicate mid palate with green apples, slight lime and charming nuttiness. Pair with honey glazed duck.
Coppo	Riserva Coppo	2019	extra brut	91.5	Ocean fresh aromas of salinity, green apples, mint, pineapples slices and mangos. A fun fruity mid palate with a nutty finish – agreeable for pre-dinner sparkler.
Abrigo Fratelli	Sivà	2019	brut	91.5	Rich and nutty aromas that also include mandarin slices and guava. Charming zesty and well balanced mid palate that includes tropicals – pineapples – and bright, frothy acidity.
Bera	Bera Brut	2019	brut	91.5	Complex aromas of nuts, mangos, passionfruit, gooseberries and sliced lime. Balanced and poised mid palate with tropical zest. Slight complexity and fruit driven.
La Torre		2019	brut	90.5	Nutty, creamy aromas of tropical fruits, cedar and petrol. An earthy and unique mid palate with crunchy nutty flavors.
Rapalino	Anniversario 1999	2018	pas dosè	91	Citric aromas of mandarins and mangos. Clean mid palate that is poised and balanced. Rather than being nuanced or complex, this provides easy drinking with focused flavors.
Gancia	Cuvée 36 mesi	2018	pas dosè	92	Aromas of cedar, bark, caramel and brioche as well as some guava and spearmint. A rich and delicious mid palate with zesty acidity. Pair with scallops.
Enrico Serafino	Zero	2018	pas dosè	91	Buttery aromas with slight cedar and tropicals. Full, rich mid palate with developed layers of fruit Fun and easy drinking though not nuanced.
Cocchi	Bianc ‘d Bianc	2018	brut	92	Nutty, complex aromas include brioche, toffee, caramel, pineapples and gooseberries. Light, clean, lambent flavors include white pears and lime.
Tosti1820	Giulio I	2018	brut	92	Zesty commanding aromas of flint, grapefruit, pineapple, menthol and toffee. Lovely and luscious mid palate with clean and focused acidity, tropical flavors and slight menthol on the finish.
Abrigo Fratelli	Sivà 60 mesi	2018	brut	92.5	Spunky aromas of brown sugar, golden syrup and mint. A sparky mid palate that is complex, energetic, with flashing acidity and boisterous tropical flavors.
Poderi Cusmano	Tenute Rade	2017	pas dosè	92	Clean aromas of white pears, sliced white grapes, green grass and salinity as well as sandalwood. Lovely light and refreshing mid palate with flavors of green apples and slight bread dough on the finish.
Banfi	Cuvée Aurora Blamc de Noirs	2017	pas dosè	91.5	Dense aromas that include spearmint, lemon, brioche and gooseberries. A clean and well balanced mid palate with flavors of pineapple, green apples and guava. Firm and bright acidity.
Cocchi	Blanc de Noirs	2017	pas dosè	91.5	Nutty and caramel aromas that include green grass, greeen apples, mango and butterscotch. Complex and intriguing. Clean and well balanced med palate with flavors of green apples and peaches.
Fontanafredda	Vigna Gatinera 72 mesi Blanc de Noirs	2017	pas dosè	91	Bright and forthright aromas of green grass, lime, lemongrass. Bright acidity mid palate, zesty fruits. Easy drinking rather than complex. Well balanced.
Ettore Germano	65mesi Blanc de Blancs	2016	pas dosè	90	Aromas of olive oil, gorse, green grass. Firm acidity.
Poderi Cusmano	Tenute Rade	2015	pas dosè	92	Nutty smoky aromas that include coffee, caramel, bread dough, menthol and cranberries. Layered and complex. A minty mid palate with slightly askew flavors that provide intrigue. Nutty finish. Compelling and distinct.
Daffara & Grasso	90 mesi	2014	pas dosè	90.5	Ocean breeze of fresh, zesty and complex aromas that include sultanas, golden syrup, gooseberries, toffee and menthol. Zesty mid palate.
Gancia	Cuvée 60 mesi	2013	brut	91.5	Breezy and fresh aromas of pineapple, mangos and a hint of caramel and nuts. Balanced mid palate, zesty and fresh acidity, easy drinking.
Tosti1820	Giulio I 100 mesi	2012	extra brut	93	Toffee covered green apple aromas, as well as sourdough and lemons. Lovely and polished mid palate with flavors of white pears, caramel and butterschottch. A Bravo gastronomic wine!
Enrico Serafino	Zero 140 mesi	2011	pas dosè	92.5	Bright and uplfiting aromas that include pineapple, guava, gooseberries and mint. A frothy, sexy, captivating wine that is balanced, nuanced, complex, fresh and with delicate but bright acidity.
Garbarino Roberto	L’istinto	2020	pas dosè	92	Delicate floral and fresh tropical aromas, as well as brioche and baguette. Deliciously light but still firm array of flavors that include green apples, red plums, raspberries. Balanced with with brisk acidity. Easy drinking.
Banfi	Cuvée Aurora rosé	2020	extra brut	93-94	Capttivating tropical aromas that include pineapples and passionfruit as well as honey. Light, fluffy, delicious mid palate in a wine that is beautifully easy drinking, well balanced, delicious and filled with tropical flavors as well as brioche. Balanced and gastronomic.
Ivaldi	Andrea Rosé	2020	extra brut	92.5	Hawaiian Punch red fruit aromas as well as spearmint, fresh bread dough, red plums and raspberries. Textured, nuanced, layered, beautiful array of fruit and fresh dough. Pair with an appetizer of shrimp and sliced avocados.
Massimo Rivetti		2020	extra brut	93-94	A luxurious set of aromas that include guava, green apples, white pears, red plums, peaches and honey. Layered, complex and with bright acidity. Beautiful and buoyant mid palate! Complex, rich flavors of red and white fruits, succulent acidity. Gastronomic wine, but can also be for pre-dinner.
Araldica	Il Cascinone Alasia Rosé	2020	brut	93	Aromas of cola and raspberries, lemongrass and lime. Juicy acidity. Wholesome full bodied and well balanced mid palate with flavors of pineapple, mango, kiwi fruit, guava and fresh bread. Gastronomic. Rich and delicious.
Colombo	Rosé	2020	brut	93-94	Snappy aromas of lemongrass, green apples, raspberries and red plums. Structured and layered with firm, juicy acidity. Mid palate flavors include red plums, with a flash of caramel on the finish. Festive, generous, delicious.
Pianbello	Pianbé rosé	2020	brut	93-94	Fresh, festive, breezy and light aromas that are fluffy and enticing and include caramel, allspice, lime and red plums. Full and oily mouthful of red cherries, raspberries, limes and with nuttiness on the finish. Deliciously balanced.
Cocchi	Rosa	2019	brut	93	This will take your breathe away. Fresh and breezy aromas of florals that include lilacs, as well as menthol, gooseberries, lime and white pears. Deliciously well balanced mid palate with, generous layered flavors of fruit with bright acidity.
Tosti1820	Rachele	2019	brut	91.5	Pungent and slightly unusual aromas of melon and menthol,  A rollicking mouthful of both angular and rounded flavors. Sort of a tactile rodeo. Flavors of bright raspberries, limes, gooseberries and grapefruit.
Rapalino	Intenzione	2018	pas dosè	91	Sparky aromas of cola, cranberries and pineapple chunks. A well balanced wine, though easy drinking rather than nuanced, with generous acidity and distinct fruit flavors.
Enrico Serafino	Zero de Saignée	2018	pas dosè	92	Candied aromas here with gumballs, aniseed, honey and cola. Well balanced fruit and juicy acidity. Light and layered flavors of menthol and tropicals with a pineapple honey edge on the finish.
Matteo Correggia	Severina	2018	extra brut	93	Light colored golden rosé. Succulent caramel aromas that are complex, rich and layered. Beautiful complex toffee apple flavors; zesty acidity, fresh pomegranate and raspberry flavors. Delicious.
Fontanafredda	Contessa Rosa	2018	brut	92	Color of a Sauvignon Blanc. Bright and focused aromas of white pears, peaches, green apples, white peaches and mint. Complex and focused with clean aromas. Easy drinking with flavors of green apples and peaches. Zesty acidity.

1. Forbes Articles.

2. Dinners in Piemonte, Italy.

During a recent visit to the Piedmont region of Italy I shared a few splendid dinners with known allies and new faces.

Ristorante Balzi Rossi, Roddi.

Four Course Dinner.

Zucca & parmigiano

Pumpkin & Parmesan cheese

Riso porti, salvia, Alta Langa e Tartufo Bianco d’Alba

Rice, leeks, sage, Alta Langa sparkling wine and Alba white truffles

Ricciola sugo di pollo arrosto, cavolfiore, olandese

Amberjack, roast chicken sauce with cauliflower and hollandaise

Mela rossa di Cuneo & riz au lait

Cuneo red apple & rice pudding

Wines.

Banfi. Cuvée Aurora. Alta Langa DOCG. 2020.

Cocchi. Bianc ‘D Bianc. Brut. Alta Langa DOCG. 2017.

Enrico Serafino. Zero de Saignée. Riserva pas dosé. 2018.

Severina. Alta Langa DOCG Rosé.

Ettore Germano. Riserva Blanc de Noir. Alta Langa DOCG. 2015.

Gancia. Vermouth di Torino.

Ristorante Guido, Fontanafredda, Serralung d’Albla, Piemonte.

Four Course Dinner.

L’uovo bianco di Alessandro Varesio in camicia con patate della Val Varaita a parmigiano reggiano Gennari stagionato 24 mesi

Alessandro Varesio’s poached white egg with Val Varaita potatoes and 24-month aged Gennari parmesan cheese

Agnolotti di Lidia al sugo d’arrosto e un assaggio dei tradizionali plin al tovagliolo

Lidia’s agnolotti with roast sauce and a taste of traditional plin al tovagliolo

Guancia di vitello de ‘La Granda’ brasata con salsa tartufata

‘La Granda’ braised veal cheek with truffle sauce

Gelato al fiordilatte mantecato al momento can latte della vacca bianca piemontese dell’alta Valle Stura e zabaione al moscato

Fiordilatte ice cream freshly whipped with milk from the Piedmontese white cow of the upper Stura Valley and muscat zabaglione