Barolo - The pilgrimage to Mecca

Ah Barolo, we are thinking of moving our operations to Barolo to live here - we love this place!!!! if only we could. Something about work, children and some other important stuff that will keep us from living here.

I am amazed at Barolo, and Nebbiolo and how it is grown here. Most vines are literally 30cm above the ground and cane pruned. It must be back breaking to prune here. The trellises are over 2 meters high so there is certainly some vigour. Spent some time in an old cellar drinking 2001, 02, 03, 04, 05 and 06 barolos from the big vats from several vinyards. Cool. We are showing our winter harvest neb around and we have been openly laughed at for making Neb in Australia.... And then they taste it.... and then they change expressions... Hmmmm, we might know a few things about winemaking in Australia and it shows in the faces of the italian winemakers. Some are very open with information, some close ups and say nothing when they find out who we are, very strange.

The town of Barolo is beautiful, barbaresco just as nice. Our B&B is beautiful and our hostess just happened to know the two biggest vinegar makers here and personally introduced us to them. hence we had great, open discussions with them both. The Barolo vinegars are fantastic - I think I might make one perhaps?

Every night has been a 8 or 9 course degustation dinner with several Barolo wines. Max cost has been 80 euro a dinner no matter how much we eat and drink. We dont eat lunch or much breakdfast to make room.

Fantastic wine, amazing vinegar, awesome food, beautiful town, Fantastic people...... We love this place and will be back.

We came to Barolo for a planned 2 nighs, we have stayed 4. Tomorrow we go to our other Mecca of Modena. More news from there.

Ian and Robyn