Luigi Oddero Convento Vino Rosso

Piedmont, Italy 

Luigi Oddero Convento Vino Rosso is a beautiful red blend of the key grape varietals of Piedmont. Given their staggering 35 hectares worth of Nebbiolo di Barolo, the estate has historically sold off a portion of its production in bulk, reserving the best-exposed sites in the best spots for its Barolo "Tradizionale.” Under the guidance of their new cellarmaster Francesco Verzio (ex- of Bruno Giacosa) they decided to instead bottle a "second wine"--mostly from east- and southeast-facing parcels in La Morra and augmented by some east-facing vines across the border in Barolo, to the south of the Annunziata cru toward Cannubi. They named it “Convento”--a nod to the fact that the Tenuta Para estate (the foundation of Luigi Oddero's winery) was the site of a convent in the early 17th century. This Vino Rosso bottling also bears the name Convento. 

Convento Vino Rosso is a blend of Dolcetto, with some Barbera—and a touch of Nebbiolo for structure—from vineyards around the cellar at Santa Maria. Varietals are naturally fermented in stainless steel, assembled and matured for 6 months or so in cement (with the Nebbiolo component in cask) with spontaneous malo, and then assembled in the late Spring after harvest for bottling. Light and crunchy with violet-y berry fruit that speaks of its Dolcetto majority, yet with decent grip and structure.

Enjoy Luigi Oddero Convento Vino Rosso with osso buco, lasagna, veal chops and aged cheeses.