Barbaresco De Forville 1973
This is a 1973 Barbaresco from Paolo De Forville, a historic estate founded in 1860. Classified as a Denominazione d'Origine Controllata (DOC), this red wine was bottled directly in its zone of origin. The producer's legacy is highlighted by numerous historical accolades, including gold medals and grand prizes from exhibitions in Rome, Pisa, Novara, and Fiume during the early 20th century.
The wine originates from Piedmont in northwestern Italy, a prestigious region surrounded by the Alps. Specifically, it comes from Barbaresco, a classic area located in the steep hills of the Langhe, just east of Alba. The landscape here is characterized by dramatic slopes that are often enveloped in thick autumn morning fog, which protects the grapes and ensures a long, perfect ripening period. Piedmont is renowned for its small, passionate, family-run wineries and a profound focus on how the terroir and microclimate influence the wine. The 1973 vintage in this region is generally described as light.
This Barbaresco is made entirely from Nebbiolo, the premier grape of the region. Nebbiolo is deeply rooted in Piedmont and is the sole varietal permitted for the prestigious wines of both Barbaresco and Barolo. It is widely celebrated for producing elegant wines with significant structural depth. While Barolo is often considered the more robust sibling, wines from Barbaresco are traditionally known to be a more elegant counterpart.
The history of the wine
Below, you can delve into the history of this wine — its producer, grape, area, and region.
Piedmont
Piedmont (which literally means "at the foot of the mountain") is located in northwestern Italy, surrounded by the Alps. It is considered one of the world's absolute most prestigious wine regions. The area is known for small, passionate, family-run wineries and a huge focus on terroir (how the soil and microclimate affect the wine).
Classic characteristics of Piedmont:
The royal wines: This is where the world-famous, complex and expensive red wines Barolo and Barbaresco come from (both made from 100% Nebbiolo).
Everyday heroes: In addition to Nebbiolo, the region is famous for the grapes Barbera (juicy, acidic and incredibly popular) and Dolcetto (dark, soft and fruity).
The white and sweet: Piedmont also makes the crisp white wine Gavi and the famous, lightly sparkling dessert bubbles Moscato d'Asti.
The landscape: Dramatic, steep hills – especially in the Langhe sub-area. The hills are often shrouded in thick morning mist in autumn, which protects the grapes and allows for a long, perfect ripening.
Gastronomy: An absolute mecca for food lovers. The area is world famous for the exclusive white truffles from Alba, hazelnuts and rich, simmered dishes that scream with a glass of local red wine.
When this wine was made, the world looked very different. Here are some of the stories that unfolded while this bottle quietly aged in its cellar.
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How it handles
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Storage
Store the bottle horizontally at 12–14°C and avoid direct sunlight, vibrations, and temperature fluctuations.
Opening
Allow the bottle to stand upright for 24–48 hours before opening to allow sediment to settle. Use a professional corkscrew and open carefully.
Enjoyment
Serve at 17–18°C and be patient – there is a great difference in how and how quickly wines open up when they are aerated.
GUIDE TO THE GOOD WINE EXPERIENCE
We will help you throughout the journey. Here you can read our guide on how to treat the wine. If you have any questions, you are always welcome to write or call us.
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