Pio Cesare Masterclass

It's somewhat staggering when you walk into a wine masterclass and see FIFTEEN different types of wine for tasting, ...staggering because I wondered if I would be staggering out later...  Clearly, for the more refined palate, one does not finish the entire glass, but take elegant sips.  But to me, that's a darn waste of good wine, so as a matter of principle, (of not wanting to waste), I usually finish whatever is put before me.

The event in question was the Pio Cesare Masterclass, hosted by Asia Euro, at Soleil Restaurant.  I believe "Cesare" is pronounced Che Sir Ray... I know this because I have been watching The Borgias, a mini series about a naughty Pope, and his son was named Cesare, so yeah, I'm cultured that way.

An interesting nugget of information, Pio Cesare Winery is the only winery allowed to use the crest of the town.

The Pio Cesare winery was founded in 1881. One hundred thirty-three years of Barolo history handed down from father to son are a long-lasting heritage that a few wineries can be proud of.
Pio Cesare was a among the first who believed in the great potential of Barolo and Barbaresco and the winery has now been producing its wines for 5 generations in its historical cellars in the historic center of Alba.

Today, the estate is managed by Pio Boffa, the great-grandson of Pio Cesare. Under his stewardship, the wines of Pio Cesare have become famous throughout the world.

Images of scenes from the movie the Godfather spring to mind, with that symphonic score by Nino Rota and the rolling plains of the vineyards... 

We start with their range of whites, the "PIODILEI" LANGHE CHARDONNAY D O C, from a 100% Chardonnay Grape variety, which had a spicy, creamy, intense, persistent taste. You can smell and taste the ripe fruit with a long finish.  This was a vertical tasting, whereby we get to try the same wine from different years.

The purpose of starting with the whites was to prepare the palate, and apparently, Chardonnays went out of fashion and was only brought back in the 80s to take advantage of the soil in that particular region.

Last month the prestigious American publication founded by Robert Parker awarded great scores to 2 new Pio Cesare Barolo wines, vintage 2010.
- 95 Points to Pio Cesare Barolo docg 2010.
- 94 Points to Pio Cesare Barolo Ornato docg 2010.

The real star of the show, the Barolos.  The difference between Barolos are where the grapes are grown.  Barolos are not blended with anything and are made from 100% Nebbiolo grapes.

Barbaresco & Barolo can be so called "brothers and sisters" as the make up of the wine is the same, ie, the Nebiollo grape, but hailing from the Town of Barbaresco.  The "magic" grape, Nebiollo requires atention, work and has a lot of leaves from June to Auguest and is costly to ripen, as it be mechanized because of terrain.  Difference between Barbaresco 2009 and Ornato 2009 is the weather.  Barbarescos and Barolos have potential to age well.

The Ornato 2008 aged well, and the tanns not as bitter and astringent as the 2010.  The 2008 Barolo is described as a billiard ball that doesn't touch the tongue, because it is silky smooth, despite only being 7 years old.  2006 was a vintage year for Barolo lovers, and very tanine dominated. The 2006 Nebiolo shows distinction that cannot be confused with anything else.

Of course, after several tastings, bearing in mind that it was still daylight outside, I must have eventually been derailed in my train of thought and ability to take down notes, afterwhich everything just became delightfully buzzy.  The last nugget of information I gleaned before mentally passing out is that 2003 was the hottest summer evah, and people died.  But the champion Nebiolo has roots that go deep deep into the soil where there is moisture....and that is WHY the 2003 Nebiolo didn't suffer, when all around else withered...

Pio Cesare exports to Asia-Pacific countries twelve wines embodying the significant and diverse terroirs of Piedmont.

- Four wines are “vineyard designate” : Barolo Ornato, Barbaresco Il Bricco and Barbera D’Alba Fides,
Chardonnay Piodilei
- Eight wines are “classico” wines : Barolo, Barbaresco, Barbera d’Alba, Dolcetto d’Alba, Nebbiolo d’Alba,
l’Altro Chardonnay, Gavi and Moscato.

Asiaeuro, has its headquartes in Kuala Lumpur, as sales and marketing company for Fine Wines in Malayisa.