L.A. Cetto Nebbiolo
What comes to mind when you think of alcoholic beuvies from Mexico? What pops into my mind are Tequilla and Cerveza Modelo. But that’s not what I am going to post about today….. center stage today ladies and gentlemen, L.A. Cetto Reserva Privada Nebbiolo 2015.
First off, let’s go through a quick and dirty history lesson on winemaking in Mexico: During the 17th century, the Spanish were the first to plant grapes in Mexico. Fast forward to the 1970’s whereby modern winemaking really started coming to the forefront in the country. The varietals planted are a hodge bodge of French, Italian and Spanish, mostly Red Wines include Cabernet Sauvignon, Zinfandel, Cabernet Franc, Carignan, Grenache, Merlot, Malbec, Syrah, Petit Verdot, Tempranillo, Nebbiolo, Dolcetto, Barbera, Petite Sirah, and Pinot Noir.. White Wines include Chardonnay, Chasselas, Chenin Blanc, Macabeo, Muscat Blanc, Palomino, Riesling, Semillon, Sauvignon Blanc and Viognier.
How, you ask, are they able to grow grapes in such a hot region so close to the equator? Well for one, the climate is arid and vines need to struggle in order to grow quality grapes. Add in vineyards located at high altitudes, which provides cooler air and a higher diurnal range, as well as microclimates throughout the region. The main wine growing regions are Baja California, Sonora, La Laguna and Central Mexico. Today’s wine is from Baja California, which is located on the west coast. This region produces about 90% of the countries wine. The soils for this particular wine are grown in a blend of sand, decomposed granite and silt. These types of soils help create wines that are elegant, aromatic and paler in color. Enter Nebbiolo - a highly aromatic and pale colored wine with awesome grippy tannins.
Nebbiolo is known as the king of grapes, home to Piedmont, Italy. However, it is also grown in other parts of the world and is making headway in California’s Central Coast, Santa Ynez, Paso Robles and Mexico’s Valle de Guadalupe. Nebbiolo is a very “terroir expressive” varietal that really picks up the characteristics of where it’s grown (soil, climate etc). The wines will be very floral (think rose petals), fresh fruit aromas and flavors, less intense and more approachable. If you are a Nebbiolo fan this is a must try.
L.A. Cetto is one of the oldest and prestigious wineries in Baja California. In 1928, Angelo Cetto decided to take his skills and knowledge in winemaking from his native Trentino, Italy and move to Baja California, Mexico. In 1963, Augustin, his son, modernized the winery with updated equipment and began to focus on the varietals that would thrive in the microclimates of the Guadalupe Valley. Now they are a successful and highly regarded third generation winemaking family. They promote Mexican wine culture internationally and increase consumer awareness, showcase the terroir and varietals in their wines. L.A. Cetto makes a wide variety of wines from sparkling wines to aromatic, full-bodied white wines and of course rich, age-worthy reds.
Nebbiolo Reserva Privada was created as a tribute to Don Luis Angelo's birthplace. The grapes come from an average age of 40 year old vines. The wine is 100% Nebbiolo. The wines are fermented in warm temperatures of 28-30C for 15 to 20 days. Matured in French oak barrels for 14 months. The wine is a rich ruby color. The nose is delicately perfumed with dark plum, red cherry, rose petals, dusty earth, leather, oak, anise and tar. The flavors of dark plum, red cherry, rose petals, dusty earth, leather, anise, tar, tobacco leaf, bramble, mint and tomato leaf. It has a fresh acidity, smooth yet chalky tannins, well rounded body and a finish that is long and lovely.
Pair with a grilled porterhouse steak, bison camembert burgers, broiled portobello mushroom or chunks of Parmesan or grilled Italian sausages and peppers like I did.
