Filippo Gallino, Canale (Piemonte)

Go straight to the wines

Filippo Gallino began bottling his Roero wines with his wife Maria in 1972. Today, the 13 hectare vineyard producing around 60,000 bottles is run by daughters Laura and Enrica and son Gianni. Only natural treatments are used in the vineyard but, in the winery, the most advanced technology is employed to produce some of the finest wines from Piedmont's "third" district. I met Laura with her family at the IOD dinner organised by their Danish importer in October 2011. As I already knew the wines from the other producers present, I spent most of the time designated for tasting with them, getting to know them and their wines.

The range comprises a white from Arneis, several reds from Barbera or Nebbiolo and a couple of unusual and intriguing wines. Apart from a very tasty, everyday Barbera d'Alba which offers very good fruit combined with excellent acidity, it is this latter category that we have focused on... for now.

There is a delicious late-harvest Arneis, "Chinche", unctuous and sweet. Best with simple desserts (or, simply, a soft Amaretti biscuit from nearby Mombaruzzo). More unusual (for us) is "Birbet", a low alcohol, sparkling red from Brachetto, a red alternative to Moscato, perhaps, recommended as aperitif or dessert wine. Certainly it refreshed the palate after an extensive tasting!

See blog: First taste    See also    Piedmont

2 wines available:
2009 Barbera d'Alba  Lovely crunchy Barbera with good zingy acidity. more details...	£9.95 (Bottle) £59.70 (Case of 6) £39.00 (Case of 6 in bond)	Buy
- - 'Chinche' Delicious late-harvest Arneis. more details...	£24.00 (Bottle) £144.00 (Case of 6) £108.00 (Case of 6 in bond)	Buy