REGION: Piedmont

Shuttered in the 1960s, Contratto revived their 19th century classic aperitivi and digestivi again in the early 2000s to much acclaim. Under the watchful eye of winemaker Giorgio Rivetti, Contratto remains committed to elevating the quality and tradition of bitter beverages.

Contrordine was an idea hatched over dinner one evening between Ivan Giuliani of Terenzuola in Tuscany and his cousin, the restauranteur Davide Minolett of La Rampolina in Stresa on Lago Maggiore. They had grown up together in Alto Piemonte “elbow to elbow’ as Ivan says, and though they went in different directions in life, they remained close friends. After the dinner, …

CP (“centopercento”) is a varietally-focused, value-driven project that concentrates on indigenous Italian grape varieties. Giorgio Rivetti of La Spinetta is winemaker.

The nearly 11 hectare domaine is divided between holdings in the villages of Barbaresco [4.5 hectare] and Castagnole Lanze [6.5 hectare], about four kilometers east of Barbaresco in the direction of Asti. Within Barbaresco, Nebbiolo is planted in the “cru” vineyards of Rabaja, Loreto and Pozzo.

Founded in 1870, Distilleria Gualco has been a family-run enterprise in Piedmont for 4 generations. Employing a “bain-marie” pot still, grapes are heated gently, allowing the retention of wine-like characteristics.