Nervi, Podere dei Ginepri, Nebbiolo, “Spanna,” Coste della Sesia DOC

Many of you are familiar with Nebbiolo’s uncanny ability to capture finessed perfume, freshness and grip unlike any other varietal. Although the most famous and expensive examples of Nebbiolo are from Barolo and Barbaresco within Piedmont, just a short drive north reveals stunning expressions of Nebbiolo for a fraction of the price.There are few better examples of this than the 2012 Podere dei Ginepri from the Nervi Winery in the Coste della Sesia DOC. Known locally as, “Spanna,” this Nebbiolo benefits from the Alpine air and higher elevation of the neighboring snow-capped alps, which delivers a more high-toned, charming expression that is reminiscent of Burgundy in its elegant finesse. When I first put my nose in the glass, I bought everything that was available.The Nervi Estate is the oldest recognized winery in Gattinara. Winemaking in Gattinara reaches back to the Romans in the second century and was already well known by European aristocracy by the Renaissance period. The historic