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Wine Information
Barbaresco Angelo Gaja
The veritable king of neighbouring village Barbaresco, Angelo Gaja, is a man who has undeniably done the most for the international renown of Piedmont wines. Largely due to his efforts, the world knows that Italy produces high quality and high priced wines. A colourful and ebullient personality, Gaja is a third-generation winemaker, but before his arrival, the house of Gaja was just another small-scale producer among many. Gaja recalls the early days:
–The land in Barbaresco was as good as free. My grandfather even got into buying land. My father, Giovanni Gaja, knew the terroir in Barbaresco, so he knew exactly where to buy the best plots and best grapes. First vintage of Barbaresco was produced by Giovanni Gaja, the founder, in 1859.
If knowledge of terroir is the domain of ancestors, the key to Angelo Gaja’s success is above all marketing savvy. He has studied both winemaking and business. Combined with his studies abroad, most notably in France, these paved Barbaresco’s road to world success. Gaja’s natural charisma, arrogance and the sheer volume and force of his opinions have made him
The Gaja Winery was founded by Giovanni Gaja in 1859 and has been owned and operated by four generations of the Gaja family. Giovanni Gaja was the great-grandfather of Angelo Gaja, the Winery's current owner.
Angelo Gaja took over the family business in 1970 and, as he says:
–The challenge was to maintain the basic power and depth of Nebbiolo while polishing the wines to give them richer colour, fuller fruit, better balance and a more refined style."
Vineyard soil: calcareous marls (white terrains)
Grape varieties: 100% Nebbiolo
Winemaking: fermentation with the skins occurs in stainless steel tanks at controlled temperatures for three weeks.
Ageing: the wine is aged in barriques for twelve months and then in large oak casks for an additional twelve months.
Via Torino 36, 12050 Barbaresco
Tel. +39 0173 635255
Fax +39 0173 635256
info@gajawines.com
Vuosikerta 1999
Italy Vintage Report by Tb: 1999 continued the winning streak of exceptional vintages in Piedmont, Barolo and Barbaresco. This vintage was excellent in all respects, even if the heavy rainfall in August caused some mold problems in the plantations. Although the 1999s almost reached the same level as the 1995s, they did not match the excellence of 1996 and 1997.
In Tuscany, 1999 was an exceptionally warm year, although weather conditions were varied. Because the autumn rains did not arrive until after the harvest, a large percentage of Sangiovese grapes could be saved. In Tuscany, this vintage produced ripe and abundantly fruity wines. Many Chianti producers felt 1999 was a better year than 1997. The 1999s also offer the buyer better value than the high-priced 1997s.