Loazzolo is a neighbouring
comune to Cassinasco, where we live, and a short distance from Wisteria Cottage in Sessame, right in the heart of the moscato belt.
Loazzolo has a population of about 350 people and boasts Italy’s smallest
DOC area.
Loazzolo DOC is a sweet
passito or dessert white wine with a long tradition. The grapes are
grown and all the winemaking operations are carried out within the comune boundaries, which makes supplies limited.
The wine is made following
the late harvest of moscato bianco grapes grown on these steep hillsides
which rise to over 1,360 feet. The hills look southwards over the
Bormida valley towards the Ligurian mountains, so these grapes receive
optimal exposure to the sun.
 The grapes are harvested late to allow Botrytis nobile (noble rot) to
develop. This is a grey mould that forms on the grapes and sweetens them.
After harvest, the grapes are arranged on racks, where they are left to dry.
This reduction to the water content further concentrates and augments the
aroma and flavour of the future wine. The partially dried grapes are then
pressed for fermentation using traditional methods that keep the
characteristics of the grapes intact.
The must is then left to ferment for over a year in cellars cut into the
hillside bedrock, and then
spends at least 6 more months maturing in small wooden casks with a maximum
capacity of 250 litres.
Loazzolo DOC may not be sold
unless it has been aged and affinato (a process of ageing or
refining in cask and/or bottle) for at least two years, starting from the
first of January after the grape harvest. Many experts agree that a further
year in the bottle is required for its bouquet to develop fully.
The result
is an intense, distinctive wine, with a minimum 11% alcohol content (over
twice that of Moscato d’Asti DOCG). It is straw yellow in colour with golden
lights. The bouquet is intense and fruity, and the taste has
hints of raisins, honey and tropical fruits. Locally, it is regarded as a
meditation wine. A perfect
match for desserts as well as for ripe cheeses,
usually sold in 375ml bottles.
Loazzolo comune
Loazzolo itself is a delightful small
community. The village proper is strung out along the road that descends
from the Belbo/Bormida watershed, its best features are hidden quietly away
amongst the side streets.
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Village centre |
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The parish church of St Antonio Abate sits at the end of this street of cottages |
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Hillside walk |
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This shady footpath gives fine views across the valley |
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There was once a substantial castle here although today only
earthworks remain. There is a pleasant, short circular walk that gives a
good sense of the atmosphere of this charming village, and the village shop
sells delicious home-made salami.
E mail:
kerrie@anitalianadventure.co.uk
0039 0141 851 154
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