Brezza - meet the winery!

Meet the wines of the Brezza family estate in Barolo, Piedmont.

Brezza undoubtedly belongs to the aristocracy of Barolo - that small group of producers who made this hillside area of Piedmont one of the most distinguished and renowned wine districts in the world.

Founded in 1885, this winery has built and maintained a highly prestigious reputation and its wines are all DOC or DOCG certified. Through the visionary commitment of Giacomo Brezza, this family-run winery is considered one of the noblest brands of Italy.

"Innovation within tradition” is their motto.

- Traditional winemaking techniques are essential for the classic red wines of Brezza, which reflect the territory of the vines. This respect for the land led to Brezza’s biological approach to grape cultivation and winemaking, not merely as a means of promotion but as an authentic and shared ethical and cultural value.

- Traditional practices are now shaped by innovation through the work of Enzo Brezza, the current head of the family. His wines are critically acclaimed for their technological innovations, such as their glass corks which they describe as “an innovative type of closure that is not only technologically flawless but, even more importantly, one that will provide consumers with just one more guarantee of our attention to the qualities of the wines we produce”.

Following in the footsteps of four generations of vintners and supported by his father Giacomo, Enzo Brezza has developed a fresh and original style while patiently building upon the great work begun by his predecessors 130 years ago.

He oversees and nurtures almost 24 hectares, of which 16 are allocated to the vine and the rest to hazel groves and woods - this balance between the different ecosystems being essential to the Brezza philosophy.

The wines of Brezza are increasingly popular outside of Italy and known for their vertical and multi-faceted aromas that will surprise and delight.

WHICH WINE?

For a 'first wine' try the DOLCETTO with its lovely fruity character, then move to the more layered BARBERA.

Of course you can't stop there! You owe it to your wine journey to taste the most important grape of the region, Nebbiolo.

Start with the accessible and moreish LANGHE NEBBIOLO and consider a bottle of the BAROLO CANNUBI (with another put aside to age and see the progression).

* BROWSE ALL THE WINES OF BREZZA *

GRAPE GEEKS: know your Nebbolo!

Much like the famously fussy Pinot Noir/Nero grape, Nebbiolo only thrives in quite specific conditions. The vine-growers of north-west Italy favour sunny hills (usually at an altitude of 250-450m on south or south-west facing slopes) for their Nebbiolo vineyards.

This grape ripens late and the harvest time coincides with an intense fog (or “nebbia” in Italian) that cloaks the Langhe region of Piedmont. Its name may also be attributed to the fog-like coating that can be found on the berries as they mature, or its lofty status as a ‘noble grape’.

As with many ancient vines, Nebbiolo is genetically unstable so prone to mutations and this has resulted in more than 40 identified clones.

Its status as one of Italy’s best cellar wines is largely due to its complex tannins and high acidity levels. It is popular as a single-grape wine, such as the worldwide famous BAROLO (named after the area inside Langhe) and BARBARESCO (again named for its geographical home), as well as the less strictly controlled Langhe Nebbiolo and Nebbiolo d’Alba.

For true explorers, try a bottle from ROERO (also in Langhe) or head north to GATTINARA for a more feminine interpretation.

Nebbiolo wines go well with most meats, especially game or gamey, but be careful not to overwhelm the delicate and silky texture with too heavy a sauce. Try pairing young Nebbiolo with braised meat, or older vintages with delicate cheeses.