Valdisole, Roero Italy скачать в хорошем качестве

Valdisole, Roero Italy

Across the Tanaro River from the celebrated hills of Barolo & Barbaresco lies Roero, a landscape that feels unmistakably different. Where the Langhe is tightly regimented with vineyards, Roero remains wilder — forests spill into sandy escarpments, hazelnut groves sit beside vines, and the soils themselves reveal an ancient past. These hills were once seabed, and today the vineyards rest on marine sands layered with clay and scattered fossilised shells, producing wines known for their aromatic lift and refined structure.  It is here, in the village of Corneliano d’Alba, that Valdisole was founded in 2015 by Giuseppe Amato & Kyriaki Kalimeri.  Both arrived at viticulture after years working as sommeliers, developing a deep appreciation for expressive, site-driven wines before ever farming a vineyard themselves. Their entry into winegrowing came almost on impulse: the purchase of a neglected half-hectare parcel of Nebbiolo discovered online. The site was steep, abandoned and overgrown, but the potential was obvious. That first vineyard is now recognised as a “heroic” site — a term used in European viticulture to describe vineyards that demand extraordinary physical labour to farm. Typically these are steep slopes that cannot be worked with machinery, requiring everything from pruning to harvest to be carried out by hand. In places like Roero, where sandy escarpments and fragile soils make mechanisation nearly impossible, farming becomes slow, physical work shaped by the rhythm of the land itself. These vineyards are often older sites that might otherwise be abandoned, preserved only through the dedication of growers willing to work them manually. Since that first planting, Valdisole has slowly expanded to around 4 hectares spread across the Roero hills. The vineyards sit around 380m above sea level on south-facing slopes, planted to both young vines and older parcels reaching up to sixty years of age. Roero’s sandy soils play a defining role in the character of these wines. Compared with the heavier marls of Barolo, they tend to produce expressions that are more lifted, fragrant and finely textured, particularly in Nebbiolo. The broader landscape also remains unusually diverse for Piedmont, with woodland, orchards and crops interspersed among vineyards — a patchwork that supports biodiversity and contributes to the vitality of the farming. From the outset, Giuseppe and Kyriaki have worked according to organic and biodynamic principles, avoiding synthetic treatments in favour of natural preparations such as propolis and seaweed extracts. Fermentations occur spontaneously with indigenous yeasts, and cellar work is intentionally restrained. Sulphur additions remain minimal, allowing each vineyard site to speak clearly through the wines. Roero itself has historically sat somewhat in the shadow of its famous neighbours, yet it possesses a distinct identity — one that increasingly attracts growers interested in elegance, energy and drinkability rather than sheer power. Valdisole has become part of this quiet evolution, exploring both traditional varieties and less common grapes across their hillside parcels. While Nebbiolo remains central to the estate, other varieties bring additional nuance to the range. Arneis, Roero’s historic white grape, thrives on these sandy slopes, offering notes of pear, almond blossom and gentle herbs. Traminer, a relative of Gewürztraminer, contributes delicate floral aromatics and citrus-tinged spice, while Bragat Rosa (or Brachetto del Roero) adds a fragrant dimension of rose petal, wild strawberry and subtle savoury complexity.  Some of these wines fall outside the strict boundaries of Piedmont’s appellation system — particularly when long skin contact or experimental methods are involved. Because the region does not allow an IGT classification, many bottles are simply labelled Vino da Tavola, a small concession that preserves the freedom to explore ideas while remaining deeply connected to the land. A charming detail on the labels reveals another layer of the estate’s identity. Several wines carry Greek names, a quiet tribute to Kyriaki Kalimeri’s heritage. Mythological references and cultural echoes travel from the Mediterranean to the sandy hills of Roero, reflecting the personal histories that shape the project as much as the vineyards themselves. Today, Giuseppe and Kyriaki work side by side as professional partners, continuing to refine the estate parcel by parcel and vintage by vintage. Their wines capture something essential about Roero — a place where ancient marine soils, biodiversity and human curiosity converge. In a region long overshadowed by its famous neighbours, Valdisole offers a reminder that Piedmont still holds places where experimentation, tradition and landscape can coexist — producing wines defined not by prestige, but by authenticity, vitality and a deep respect for the land.