Comments on: The story behind Vajra’s Barolo Albe

By: Do Bianchi

Do Bianchi — Wed, 21 Jul 2010 17:25:36 +0000

@Jesse don’t get me wrong: I love the Bricco delle Viole but kind of like with Produttori del Barbaresco, I find myself drawn to the cuvée over and over again… Of course, I think the Bricco delle Viole will be amazing in just a few years… I’ll see if I can find out more on the vinification of the Moscato.

By: Jesse Becker, MS

Jesse Becker, MS — Wed, 21 Jul 2010 17:03:40 +0000

Hi Jeremy, what did Aldo say was different about his Moscato vinification? I assume by “more dense and richer in mouthfeel” that “vecchio stile” actually means less frizzante (fewer atmospheres)? I remember preferring the Albe (new label design in ’05?) to the Viole also but need to taste these again, it’s been a while.

By: Do Bianchi

Do Bianchi — Wed, 21 Jul 2010 14:54:45 +0000

@Tom We found the Vajra Moscato d’Asti to be a little more dense and richer in mouthfeel than most others and when I remarked on this in Aldo’s presence, he said that he prefers this “vecchio stile” or “old style” expression of the appellation. He then told us how the style reminded him of the Moscato that he knew as a child. I guess your impression of the wine was a little different. We loved it. Thanks for your insightful comment.

@David When we tasted with Giuseppe the other day, he noted how the Barolo Albe is actually the more “traditional” of the two Barolo because it is a blended wine, whereas the single-vineyard Bricco delle Viole is a more recent designation for the winery. I’d tasted Vajra’s wines over the years but it was in 2008 when I started reading your posts about them that I started following them more closely. Thanks again for hipping me to that, man! The Vajra folks are remarkably cool and balanced people in a place where extremes don’t always bring out the best in everyone. The wines, fantastic…

By: David McDuff

David McDuff — Wed, 21 Jul 2010 13:01:47 +0000

Hey Jeremy,

I’m very glad to hear that the Vajra wines are on their way to TX — and that you got to spend a little time with Giuseppe, who’s a truly great guy.

I haven’t had the chance to drink the ’05 Albe as often as I’d like but my basic impressions are that it’s a bit darker fruited and richer than in the past several vintages (aside, perhaps, from ’03). More importantly, though, it’s delicious and definitely still classic in style.

Thanks for the shout-out, bro!

By: tom hyland

tom hyland — Wed, 21 Jul 2010 00:10:33 +0000

When you write about the “super-old-school” Moscato d’Asti from Vajra, I’m confused. I think the wine is absolutely delicious and I love it just as much as you do. But there are dozens of other excellent producers of Moscato d’Asti who make their wine in a similar style (Oddero, Saracco, e.g.).

What exactly is the “super-old-school” of Moscato d’Asti and how does it differ from the modern style? Seems to me these wines are all fresh and modern.