Nascetta is a grape variety cultivated since antiquity in a single municipality. Originating from Novello (Cn), in Piedmont, in the Langhe, Nascetta (also called Anascetta or Nas-cëtta) miraculously survived extinction. It certainly wasn't easy for a small white grape to resist in a territory dominated by Nebbiolo and its noblest and most prestigious expressions: Barolo and Barbaresco. Mentioned in ampelographic sources since the 1800s, Nascetta is described by Rovasenda as "extremely delicate grape and exquisite wine," and Lorenzo Fantini speaks of it as a wine "of finesse equal to Moscato". In the past, it was often used as table wine or vinified together with Favorita and Moscato. Only in the 1990s, thanks to the passion and patient work of some producers, it was rediscovered and valued in purity. In 2002, Nascetta became part of the Langhe DOC, and in 2010, the DOC Langhe "Nas-cëtta" of the Municipality of Novello was recognized. Nascetta is the offspring of a unique and extraordinary terroir, characterized by the precious calcareous-clayey marls of the Langhe, which give the wines structure, acidity, complexity, and minerality. Terpene analyses have highlighted the semi-aromatic character of the grape variety. With its bright straw yellow color, Nascetta expresses a very personal character. Its bouquet often features hints of white flowers and citrus and fruity aromas. It is a wine of good structure and remarkable freshness, enveloping, savory, with a slightly bitter finish. A good acidity and a consistent structure give the wine good longevity, allowing for long bottle aging and interesting developments. Its undisputed personality and varietal recognizability make it suitable for vinification in steel as well as in wood, without losing its distinctive aromatic character. At the table, it pairs very well with appetizers based on shellfish, raw fish, and vegetables. Interesting pairings with first courses based on fish, delicate white meats, and fresh cheeses.
The best Nascetta from the Langhe
Here are the best labels of Nascetta from the Langhe according to Gambero Rosso, which this year have been awarded Due Bicchieri Rossi or Due Bicchieri in the Gambero Rosso 2024 Wine Guide.
The Nas-cëtta Pasinot 2021 (Due Bicchieri Rossi ) and the Nas-cëtta 2022 are two excellent examples of how Le Strette winery maximizes not only the most well-known indigenous grape varieties (such as Nebbiolo) but also the rarest ones like Nas-cëtta, without neglecting the classic Barbera and Dolcetto. The winery was established in 1997 in Novello and owes its name to the ancient hamlet where it is located: a narrow alley that winds between the houses of Novello and opens onto the hills of the Barolo area. From parents Giuliana and Giulio, the business has now passed to their sons Mauro and Savio Daniele. The vineyards are located in various areas in the municipalities of Novello and Barolo, including the cru Bergeisa, Bergera-Pezzole, and Corini-Pallaretta.
- Langhe Nas-cëtta del Comune di Novello Pasinot 2021 - Le Strette
- Langhe Nas-cëtta del Comune di Novello 2022 - Le Strette
Fresh and gritty, the Langhe Nascetta 2022 from Tenuta Rocca highlights notes of white fruit and citrus, for a full and persistent palate.
The Langhe Nascetta 2022 from Casa E. di Mirafiore is one of the wines produced by this historic winery in the Langhe, founded in 1878 by Emanuele Alberto Guerrieri, Count of Mirafiore, and now owned by Oscar Farinetti. The company's vineyards are located in the municipalities of Serralunga d'Alba, in the Fontanafredda subzone, and Barolo in the Lazzarito and Paiagallo Geographical Mentions. Worth mentioning is the recent opening of the Narrating Village, 120 hectares of nature reserve where thirty small stories are displayed narrating the history of the village, among vineyards, hazelnut groves, and woods with over 40 varieties of plants.
The Nascetta Anas-cëtta 2022 from Elvio Cogno is one of the wines produced by the Cogno family, who founded the company in 1990 thanks to Elvio's sensitivity and great passion. The tradition continues with daughter Nadia and son-in-law Valter Fissore, who operate in the eighteenth-century farmhouse, now equipped with all modern winemaking systems. The style remains classic, with spontaneous fermentations, long, submerged cap macerations, rackings, and accurate wood aging to produce balanced but rich wines with personality and elegance.
The Nascetta Netta 2022 is one of the wines produced by Anna Maria Abbona and Franco Schellino, now also supported by their sons Federico and Lorenzo, who have led the company to success since it started as an inheritance from their grandfather Giuseppe, a viticultural project dating back to 1936. At the heart of the company's project are the Dogliani, declined in four labels, which have gradually been joined by Barbera, Nebbiolo, Riesling, and Nascetta, as well as Chardonnay and Pinot Noir for Alta Langa. The soils are characterized by classic white soils, with vineyards at altitudes ranging from 500 to 550 meters.
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