L'Armangia l"Titon", Nizza DOCG

The Wine

When most wine lovers I know see this label, they scratch their heads and ask questions like "what grape is this and where in the hell is 'Nizza'?!" before quietly returning the mysterious bottle to the store shelf in search of something more familiar.

But when someone from Italy's Piemonte region sees this wine, they recognize know Nizza is a high-quality sub-zone within the Barbera d'Asti DOCG - a popular wine known for its affordability! Such labeling mysteries are just one of the frustrations lovers of Italian wines must endure.

A Barbera from Nizza is known for being a bit bigger and bolder than those with 'Barbera d'Asti' emblazend on their label. Once you know these few tips on the Nizza DOCG, you'll undestand why:

• Nizza wines must be 100% Barbera.
• Vineyard exposure (aspect)
• HIgher alcohol requirement - his one is 14.5%, but wears it beguilingly well
• Lower vineyard yields for higher-quality fruit and greater flavor concentration
• Wine can't be released until it's met minimum aging requirements

Having recently written about how big and powerful Nizza's Barberas tend to be (um, see above), we think you'll be pleasantly surprised by the poised yet bold style of this wine. Taming Barbera’s exuberance is not easy, yet this wine brims with bright sour cherry and pureed strawberries with a lingering, mouth-watering finish. 

A slight note of menthol adds complexity and elegance, resulting in a Barbera that is a true pleasure to drink. As in all wines from L’Armangia, total sulfites are extremely low, enhancing the wine's immediate drinkability. Go get a corkscrew!

The Winery

Ignazio Giovine is your classic Hollywood version of an artisanal wine-grower. First, he was born into and raised by a family of wine-growers in Canelli (in the Monferrato region). From them he inherited/learned/reinforced the old chestnut that "great wine starts in the vineyard", an idea that shaped his approach to winemaking - a blend of technical knowledge, intimate understanding of the vineyards, respect for their environment, and ingenuity in facing the challenges of each vintage.

His artisanal Barberas reflect the unique interaction between a man and his vines; farming organically, he preserves the biodiversity and health of his vines. As a steward of his land, he intends to leave