PIO CESARE - Barolo Chinato
The winery was founded over a century ago, in 1881 by Cesare Pio, and is now run by his descendants, the Boffa family. The winery sits squarely on top of ancient Roman walls in the heart of the town of Alba. With seventy hectares spread across the region, Pio Cesare have access to superior terroir. This, coupled with their traditional production methods, results in some of the most classic, ageworthy wines here.
Barolo Chinato was introduced in the late 19th Century and famed for its medicinal purposes; it became the principal antidote to several ailments, especially the common cold. It was also consumed as a mulled wine for its invigorating qualities and as an aid to digestion.
Barolo Chinato is an aromatised wine made from a base of Barolo, to which bark, herbs and spices (up to 21) are added. The maceration takes place at room temperature for around eight weeks. The aromatised wine is then fortified to 16 percent alcohol and matured in small barrels for up to one year.
It is usually consumed as an after-dinner drink, either as a dessert wine or a digestif. It is also considered an excellent accompaniment to dark chocolate, or it can be served as an aperitif with soda and ice (similar to sweet vermouth).
