The producers we work with are satisfied with the 2005 harvest. Summer started early with a very hot June, the first two weeks of July were quite cool followed by a hot spell till the end of the month. August was cooler than usual, but without heavy rains (as in other Italian regions). There were a few rainy days in September, but the rest of the month was warm. There then was a week of heavy rain at the beginning of October. Luckily all our producers managed to harvest before the October rains, and the rains at the beginning of September made Nebbiolo ripen earlier. This is a vintage where good viticultural practices were of utmost importance: those producers that carried out green harvest correctly were rewarded with high quality, as rot was avoided. The forecast for 2005 wines is definitely good, but as malo-lactic fermentation is not over yet, we will write another report at the beginning of 2006 with more detailed information.

Castiglion Falletto: “…in 2005 there wasn’t so much rain and it was warm, therefore there were better products from vineyards in less favourable positions. Vineyards in good positions give good products anyhow. Ripening of clusters was perfect. Wines are extremely well balanced, colours are intense, acidity is good, tannins are supple, alcohol percentage is slightly less high than 2004 and 2003, but this does not mean that 2005 is not a great vintage. Production was lower than 2004, we therefore had to drop less fruit. We harvested Nebbiolo grapes starting at the beginning of October and we finished before the heavy rains (harvest took 2 and a half days)..” (Enrico Scavino owner of Azienda Agricola Paolo Scavino) “…I am extremely satisfied. Grape yield was lower, but quality is high. The wines have good colour, they are well-balanced and will be very drinkable. Forecast is very positive. Dolcetti are excellent. We started harvesting Dolcetto on the 10-11 September and continued on the 20th of September with Nebbiolo and Barbera up to the beginning of October. We managed to complete the harvest before the rains in October.” (Luigi Scavino, owner of Azienda Agricola Azelia)

Monforte: “…2005 can be considered another good vintage. Grapes ripened well and we managed to harvest all vineyards before the rains. We carefully selected the grapes in the vineyard. Dolcetto and Barbera are excellent. Barolo has a good alcohol percentage, but there will be more info once malolactic is finished” (Riccardo Seghesio co-owner of Azienda Agricola Aldo e Riccardo Seghesio) “….production was about 20% less than previous vintages. In 2005 one can really see who worked well in the vineyard. The wines have super colours! 2004 wines are more powerful, 2005 wines are more balanced. I can say that 2003, 2004 and 2005 (especially referred to Nebbiolo) are all good vintages, but there are completely different from each other, with wines that evolve in a different way” (Massimo Conterno assistant to Domenico Clerico owner of Azienda Agricola Domenico Clerico).

La Morra: “..the forecast is for 2005 to be an excellent vintage, wines (although it is still early as malolactic is not finished) are balanced, without a high alcohol content. They are fresh, elegant, extremely drinkable but without the opulence of 2004. We harvested all grapes within the 26th –27th of September” (Elio Altare owner of Azienda Agricola Elio Altare) “….it was a good harvest. Nebbiolo base wines have a good structure, are well balanced, supple without evident tannins. Also Barbere are satisfying. We harvested all the crus before the rains in October so that botrytis infection was avoided. We performed severe green harvest in August..” (Matteo Molino son of Mauro owner of Azienda Agricola Mauro Molino)

Barolo: “….we managed to harvest all Nebbiolo for Barolo before the rains. Although malolactic is not ended, I can say that the wines are fruity, with more colour than other vintages, they are supple and well-balanced. Ripening was fast….” (Ferruccio Grimaldi of Azienda Agricola Giacomo Grimaldi) “…I am extremely satisfied. Yield was 35% lower than previous vintages. Quality of wines is excellent: alcoholic percentage is high, they are concentrated and wellstructured. It was a warm summer so that ripening of clusters was early (similar to 2003). Harvest started on the 29th of September with the Cannubi vineyard and ended on the 1st of October….” (Chiara Boschis owner of Azienda Agricola E. Pira & Figli).

Serralunga: “…it was a good harvest. We managed to harvest all grapes before the rains. The vintage is similar to 2004. The forecast is positive.” (Giampaolo Pira of Azienda Agricola Pira Luigi & Figli) “….it was a very good harvest. Production was 10-15% less than other vintages, but quality was very high. The young wines (Barbera and Dolcetto) are exceptional, Nebbiolo base wines have high alcohol percentage. 2005 was unusual as Dolcetto, Barbera and Nebbiolo all ripened in the same period” (Paolo Manzone owner of Azienda Agricola Paolo Manzone)

Barbaresco: “…the rains at the beginning of September made Nebbiolo ripen earlier. Careful green harvest was carried out……we are satisfied, wines are very good and 2005 can be compared to 2001. Although the colour is less deep than previous years, wines are fruity, with a good acidity content and good alcohol percentage. Production was 60% in comparison to 2003 (approx. 22,000 bottles of Barbaresco, the grape yield was 4.8 tons/hectare). Dolcetto is exceptional. On the 21st of September the Cole vineyard was harvested, followed by Barbera on the 22-23 September after which all Nebbioli were picked up to the 28th September…” (Sergio Minuto owner of Azienda Agricola Moccagatta)

Castagnole delle Lanze/Grinzane Cavour: “…the harvest was good also due to strict vineyard management with green harvest etc…Ripening of grapes was complete and alcohol percentage was higher than 2004. Wines are well structured and very complex. Moscato is very aromatic. All vinifications were without problems. We started harvesting Moscato on the 2nd of September followed by Chardonnay, on the 11-12 September Barbera was picked after which it was the turn of Nebbiolo up to the 2-3 October.” (Pinuccio Gatti of Azienda Agricola La Spinetta)

Roero: “…..we are happy with the results. We finished the harvest before the October rains. It was difficult from an organization point of view, as there was no interruption between the harvest of white and red varietals. On the 2nd of September we started with Sauvignon, followed by Arneis and Brachetto. Barbera and Nebbiolo were picked at the same time…..” (Ornella Correggia owner of Azienda Agricola Matteo Correggia)

Romagnano Sesia (Ghemme DOCG): “….green harvest was drastic this year. Production was lower, but we are happy with the results. Wines are a beautiful purple red due to good acidity and are well structured with a good alcohol percentage. Who worked well in the vineyard was rewarded. Harvest started on the 28th of September with Vespolina and we finished picking Nebbiolo on the 15th of October. As Romagnano has a particular microclimate and the area is very ventilated, there were no Botrytis problems..” (Giorgio Ioppa of Azienda Agricola F.lli Ioppa)

Gattinara: “…2005 is an excellent vintage. Production was 25-30% less than 2004 (where production was higher than normal), ripening of clusters was optimal, wines are good with excellent alcohol percentage, good aromas and colours. All vineyards were harvested before heavy rains started in October. We started on the 2-3 October and the harvest lasted for five days. There were no frosts or hail in this area..” (Alberto Zoppis of Azienda Agricola Antoniolo) Dogliani: “…the quality is good, but the wines will have a slightly lower alcohol percentage in comparison to other vintages, due to the rains at the beginning of September. We started harvesting on the 15th of September and finished at the end of the month…” (Mario Boschis of Azienda Agricola Francesco Boschis)