Le Strette is a winery in Novello, founded in 1997 by two winemaker brothers, Mauro and Savio Daniele. The company is named after the shape of the road, that runs through the area of the village, where it is located.
The production philosophy of Le Strette is devoted to enhancing native grape varieties, with the challenging objective of making wines of high quality and great personality, that would be able, at the same time, to express the territory of origin in the details. With this objective in mind, the investments of the company were directed towards the exclusive production of wines from the Piedmontese grape varieties: Nebbiolo, Barbera, Dolcetto and the almost extinct Nascetta.
In 1997, Le Strette was one of the first producers to believe in the rediscovery of this native grape variety, and since then the white wine made from this variety has become an indissoluble part of the corporate identity. In 2001, the grape was registered in the National Register, so the “Vino da Tavola” made until that moment could become “Langhe D.O.C.”. In 2010, also thanks to the active effort of Le Strette, the municipality of Novello was recognised as a historical “sub-area” for the cultivation of Nascetta. Since then, the appelation “Langhe Nas-cëtta del Comune di Novello” identifies a semi-aromatic white wine , made from the pure vinification of Nascetta grapes, grown exclusively in the municipality of Novello.
The vineyards lie in an area of about 6.5 hectares in the municipality of Novello and for a small part in the municipality of Barolo. In the municipality of Novello, two vineyards are respectively part of the Me.G.A. (Menzione Geografica Aggiuntiva – Cru) Bergera-Pezzole and Corini-Pallaretta, while the other vineyards are located in Pasinotti and Tarditi areas. In the municipality of Barolo the vineyards are part of the Me.G.A. Bergeisa.
The vineyards are managed following the criteria of sustainable agriculture: a mix of experience and technical knowledge, with the goal of safeguarding the areas’s environment, through a drastic reduction of sprays and the natural maintenance of fertility of the soils, to obtain healthy and quality fruit.
Here are the interesting notes of the wine tasted at the winery.
Nas-cëtta del Comune di Novello – Langhe D.O.C. – 2020
Nascetta 100%
The grapes come from the wineyards in the municipality of Novello, in the areas known as Pasinotti, Bergera, Pezzole and Tarditi.
After cold soaking, the grapes are soft pressed, then the fermentation takes place in temperature controlled stainless steel tanks at 18°C. The wine stays in contact with the fine lees for 6 months before bottling.
- Look: clear, medium colour intensity, lemon colour with lemon greenish reflections on the rim.
- Smell: medium (+) aroma intensity with developing floral hints of jasmine and acacia, fruity notes of grapefruit and tropical fruit, with herbal notes on the finish.
- Taste: dry, medium acidity, medium alcohol, medium body with pronounced flavour intensity. Long finish with potential for further ageing.
- Pairing: baked squids stuffed with vegetarian couscous.
Pasinot – Nas-cëtta del Comune di Novello – Langhe D.O.C. – 2020
Nascetta 100%
Pasinotti hill, located on the south of the municipality of Novello, a few metres outside the Barolo D.O.C.G.’s production area, is the symbol of the history of Nas-cëtta.
After cold soaking the grapes are soft pressed, then the fermentation takes place in temperature controlled stainless steel tanks at 18°C. The wine stays in contact with the fine lees for at least 12 months. The wine spends at least 6 months in the bottle before being put on the market.
- Look: clear, deep colour intensity, gold colour.
- Smell: pronounced aroma intensity with developing wet stones, pineapple, mango, lime and grapefruit aromas, delicate white pepper hints on the finish.
- Taste: dry, medium acidity, medium alcohol, full body with pronounced flavour intensity. Long finish with potential for further ageing.
- Pairing: gnocchi with nettles.
Persole – Barbera d’Alba D.O.C. Superiore – 2020
Barbera 100%
Persole, the mix of the names of the two areas where the old vines used to make this wine are located.
The grapes are soft pressed and destemmed. Fermentation with skin contact takes place in temperature controlled stainless steel tanks for 15 days. The wine is then matured in 225-230 litres (second or third fill) oak vessels.
- Look: clear, deep colour intensity, ruby colour.
- Smell: medium (+) aroma intensity with developing rose, redcurrant, cherry, aromas, elegant vanilla and cacao hints on the finish.
- Taste: dry, high acidity, high alcohol, medium body, medium tannin and medium (+) flavour intensity. Medium finish with potential for further ageing.
- Pairing: pork fillet with black cherries and mashed potatoes.
Barolo D.O.C.G – Bergeisa – 2016
Nebbiolo 100%
Bergeisa is a Barolo Municipality’s Me.G.A. (Menzione Geografia Aggiuntiva – Cru). The vineyard has a south-east aspect.
The grapes are soft pressed and destemmed. Fermentation on the skins takes place in temperature controlled stainless steel tanks for 22-30 days. The wine is matured in small 225-300 litres (second or third fill) oak vessels and then in bigger casks for 15-20 months.
- Look: clear, pale colour intensity, ruby colour with garnet reflections.
- Smell: pronounced aroma intensity with developing violet, raspberry, blackberry, aromas that are followed by tobacco and black pepper notes.
- Taste: dry, high acidity, high alcohol, full body, high tannin and medium (+) flavour intensity. Long finish with potential for further ageing.
- Pairing: baked veal shank with baked potatoes.
Barolo D.O.C.G. – Corini-Pallaretta – 2016
Nebbiolo 100%
Corini-Pallaretta is a Novello Municipality’s Me.G.A. (Menzione Geografia Aggiuntiva – Cru). The hill has a western aspect but the historical vineyards have a south, south-east aspect.
The grapes are soft pressed and destemmed. Fermentation on the skins takes place in temperature controlled stainless steel tanks for 25-30 days. The wine is matured in small 225-300 litres (second or third fill) oak vessels and then in bigger casks for 15-20 months.
- Look: clear, pale colour intensity, ruby red with garnet reflections on the rim.
- Smell: pronounced aroma intensity with developing violet, rose, raspberry, blackberry, aromas that are followed by cinnamon and liquorice notes.
- Taste: dry, high acidity, high alcohol, full body, high tannin and medium (+) flavour intensity. Long finish with potential for further ageing.
- Pairing: beef filet with porcini mushrooms and black truffle.
Barolo D.O.C.G. – Bergera-Pezzole – 2016
Nebbiolo 100%
Bergera-Pezzole is a Novello Municipality’s Me.G.A. (Menzione Geografia Aggiuntiva – Cru). The hill has a south-east aspect.
The grapes are soft pressed and destemmed. Fermentation on the skins takes place in temperature controlled stainless steel tanks for 28-35 days. The wine is matured in small 225-300 litres (second or third fill) oak vassels and then in bigger casks for 15-20 months.
- Look: clear, pale colour intensity, ruby red with garnet reflections on the rim.
- Smell: pronounced aroma intensity with developing violet, rose, raspberry, blackberry, aromas that are followed by cinnamon, liquorice, cacao and tobacco notes, with mint and eucalyptus balsamic aromas on the finish.
- Taste: dry, high acidity, high alcohol, full body, high tannin and pronounced flavour intensity. Long finish with potential for further ageing.
- Pairing: guinea fowl stuffed with chestnuts with pomegranate sauce.
Producer: Le Strette Azienda Agricola
