BARBARESCO “RIO SORDO”

PRODUCER: MUSSO REGION: PIEMONTE GRAPES: 100% NEBBIOLO SUBVARIETIES “MICHET” & “LAMPIA”

The Winery: The Azienda Agricola Musso is located in Barbaresco, a small village in the heart of the Langhe, not far from Alba. The winery was founded in the early 1900’s by the great grandfather of the current owner, Enologist Valter Musso, and since then the location has remained the same. The family business includes vineyards that span 13 hectares in the Barbaresco area. Each step of the winemaking is carefully followed by Mr. Musso, who graduated from the Scuola Enologica of Alba in 1983 and got a Bachelor Degree in Enology in 1998. His parents, Margherita and Augusto, attend the vineyards with passion and meticulous care while his wife Paola, an attorney, is in charge of the administration. The cellar is modern and equipped with the most advanced machineries. The harvest takes place in the months of September and October, starting from the white Chardonnay grapes and ending with the red Nebbiolo ones. The total production is of circa 90,000 bottles a year, divided among: Barbaresco, Dolcetto d’Alba, Langhe Nebbiolo, Langhe Freisa, Barbera d’Alba, Langhe Chardonnay, Roero Arneis. All their wines are produced exclusively using grapes from their own vineyards. The most highly valued Barbaresco is produced in 2 Crus called “Pora”, named after a southern facing slope, and “Rio Sordo”, which lies at the top of a sun drenched hill. The “Pora” Cru has a production of 1,580 cases per year, while the “Rio Sordo” does not exceed 1,250 cases.

The Wine: Musso Barbaresco “Rio Sordo" is made of 100% Nebbiolo grapes, a blend of Michet and

Lampia subvarietals. Fermentation, both alcoholic and malolactic is conducted under temperature controlled cellars, which might be the most significant improvement. Stainless steel vats are essential and the must has shorter contact with the skins for less than a month. The wine is then aged for approximately 2 years, part of it in oak barrels and part in chestnut ones.

Tasting Notes: Musso Barbaresco “Rio Sordo” has a deep ruby red color with garnet tinges. The

intense fruity bouquet, with scents of blackberries and raspberries, introduces notes of mushroom and earth. A luscious dry, full-textured red with harmonious good balance of acidity and gentle tannins gives way to a pleasant, silky smooth finish. This Barbaresco is best suited for pasta dishes with savory sauces as well as baked fennel ham, roasted loin of pork with risotto, roasted turkey with wild mushroom and chestnut stuffing, braised lamb with butternut squash polenta and aged cheeses.