Wine Review: Franco Conterno Cascina Sciulin Langhe Freisa 2018
There are many wonderful things about working in a wine bar. Most importantly, there’s delicious wine everywhere I turn. What’s even better, though, is the fact that I’m surrounded by a group of people who are always ready to crack open one of those bottles and try something new. This is exactly what happened the first time I tried the Freisa from Franco Conterno.
It was a gloomy Wednesday evening when Lauren and I decided to split this bottle behind the bar. The sky was gray, the customers were quiet, and we wanted a wine that would make us feel cozy while we worked. Thus blossomed a beautiful moment: we knew what we were in the mood to drink, we wanted to try something new, and the wine we tried was exactly what we were craving all along.
This beautiful wine delivered what we desired in every way. Its region is Langhe DOC, Piedmont, Italy. Normally, when thinking about wine from Piedmont, you’d perhaps turn to a Barolo or a Barbaresco. However, the grape used in this wine is Freisa, which is an experimental varietal. Franco Conterno is one of several producers who are utilizing this grape more, and we’re certainly thankful for it. It’s a rare treat to enjoy a Freisa of this quality and value.
In terms of mouthfeel, this wine is medium-bodied with a slight tannin. The tasting notes are wild forest berries, sage, and green olives. What I loved most about this wine was the fact that I experienced all three of those tasting notes at different stages. At the front, I got wild forest berries. However, this berry taste was perfect: not jammy, not overpowering, but subtle and delightful. As this taste faded, then entered the smokiness of the sage. And finally, at the back, a hint of green olives. The transition from each flavor was complex and comforting. It truly stimulated our senses as we drank.
While drinking this, I snacked on some green olives. I really enjoyed this pairing and found that it enhanced every element of the wine. Overall, this wine would pair great with food, due to its subtle complexity and the wide range of tasting notes in one sip.
It was a sad moment when we realized our bottle was empty. Lauren and I both, almost immediately, started planning the next time we would drink this wine. For Lauren, it’s a wine she wants to buy for a friend coming to visit. For me, I’ll save it for the next gloomy day; a day when I can curl up with a good book and a fuzzy blanket.
The Wine: Franco Conterno Cascina Sciulin Langhe Freisa 2018, Langhe DOC, Piedmont, Italy $27 (retail)
Book Pairings: Cozy, heartwarming reads!
Tales from the Cafe by Toshikazu Kawaguchi
The House in the Cerulean Sea by TJ Klune
Jacket Weather by Mike DeCapite
Review by Andi Pignato