From: Piedmont, Italy
Varietal: Nebbiolo
Taste: This charmingly drinkable Nebbiolo is an exceptional example of a more delicate and approachable version of Italy's greatest red grape. The wine's aroma is inviting, with notes of red cherry, raspberries, rose petals, and hints of cinnamon and cedar. On the palate, the wine is medium-bodied with balanced acidity and soft tannins, making it a versatile choice for pairing with various dishes. It should be noted that those soft tannins are present but refined, adding structure and depth to the wine, with a nice long finish.
Pairing: The Marco Tintero Nebbiolo pairs well with a variety of dishes, from classic Italian pasta dishes (we’re sharing one below!) to hearty meat-based stews. For a vegetarian option, try pairing it with mushroom risotto, roasted eggplant, or a vegetable lasagna. The wine's acidity and tannins are well balanced, making it versatile enough to complement a range of flavors. For a perfect pairing in a casual setting, serve it alongside a plate of salumi, prosciutto, and aged cheeses. For a delicious vegetarian pairing, try serving the Marco Tintero Nebbiolo with a roasted root vegetable and lentil salad. The wine's bright acidity and delicate tannins pair perfectly with the earthy flavors of the vegetables and the nutty lentils. Another great option is a roasted butternut squash soup with a dollop of sour cream and a sprinkle of smoked paprika. The wine's fruitiness and spice complement the sweetness of the squash, creating a perfect balance of flavors.
Roasted Eggplant and Tomato Pasta
By Melissa Clark
About. In 1900 a Frenchman named Pierre Tintero set out for Piedmont in search of work. He found an opportunity to do odd jobs at a small estate where widow Rosina Cortese was struggling to handle all the work herself. Pierre, called “Pietrin” by the locals, quickly became a vital part of the estate and also fell in love with the widow, whom he married two years later. The couple continued to work the vines together and bottled their own Dolcetto for the first time just as war fell in 1914. Years later their grandson would find a stash of this vintage hidden within the walls of the cellar, certainly a precaution against ransacking troops who passed through the area.
Pietrin and Rosina’s two sons, Giovanni and Carlo, eventually took over the estate and expanded it by purchasing adjacent vineyard plots. Moscato was just a tiny part of their production since it is only practical to produce it in large quantities, but after the Second World War giants Cinzano and Martini began producing the wine, so the brothers planted more of the variety to sell to these negociants while they continued bottling their still wines themselves. It was not until the 1980s that Carlo’s son Elvio began experimenting with the challenging process of frizzante wine production, allowing the family to take advantage of the grape’s special affinity to the local terroir. Elvio has now handed the reins over to the next generation, but he continues to help his son Marco and daughter-in-law Cinzia run the estate.
The commune of Mango is the heart of Moscato country, and 20 of the Tinteros’ 30 hectares are planted to this grape. Their largest parcel is in the Sorì Gramella vineyard, whose full southern exposure and gradient of more than 20% pamper the grapes with many long hours of sunshine, without even casting shadows from one row to the next as is the case in most vineyards. The resulting wine is delightfully fizzy and slightly sweet, an irresistible combination that makes it a universal favorite. Marco also maintains that same spirit in his other wines, which are all fresh, easy, and fun to drink with friends.
Langhe Nebbiolo:
• Vineyard located in the village of Veive, next to Mango, within the Alba zone
• Fermented in temperature-controlled stainless steel tank for 2-3 weeks
• Wine aged 12 months in oak (50% 225-L barrels, 50% 5-HL botti), then racked into stainless
steel before bottling
• Bottled unfiltered
Piemonte may have gained its renown at the hands of Barolo and Barbaresco, but if you know where to look, you can find as much pleasure and reward in the region’s best bargains as you can in its loftiest bottlings. Marco Tintero is a specialist of the former, producing wines of remarkable value east of those two noted zones, in the spectacular hills around the town of Mango.
Tintero creates this rosso from the same variety that stars in Barolo and Barbaresco, but this is weeknight or aperitivo Nebbiolo, a lighter and more delicate rendition of what many consider to be Italy’s greatest red grape. You still encounter Nebbiolo’s trademark backbone of tannin, but it’s been tamed over the course of one year in barrels and botti, making for a bottle that is perfect alongside tagliatelle al ragù or even just some cuts of salumi.
—Tom Wolf