Enrico Serafino

The wines of Italy are simultaneously some of the most popular in the United States (especially in our neck of the woods in New England) and some of the most misunderstood… and it stands to reason.

There is a barrier to entry with most wines from other countries, but especially so in Italy: sometimes just figuring out what kind of wine you're drinking is a daunting task. Let’s look at Chianti, as an example. To most people’s surprise, Chianti isn’t the name of the grape, it’s the name of the region (what’s in your glass when you drink Chianti is actually Sangiovese, but that’s another article entirely….). Examples of this are abound in Italy: labels sometimes state the grape, sometimes the town the wine comes from, and other times have completely arbitrary designations. It’s enough to dissuade most people from delving into Italian wines…

If you're willing to explore past the oft confusing labels, you’ll be richly rewarded with wines that vary as wildly as the Italian terrain. While we love all Italian wines, our operations manager, Jules, is particularly partial to the wines of Piemonte. They are wildly varied both in style, flavor, and appropriate occasion.

Looking for a white that’s light, bright, and refreshing, but getting bored of pinot grigio? Grab a Gavi. Craving a juicy red that you can serve with a chill on it while enjoying the twilight of summer? Pelaverga was made for crushing on your patio. Are you having a ribeye with some shaved truffles (treat. yo. self.)? You’d be remiss to not crack open the most perfect pairing: Barolo. The wines of Piemonte can suite you for any occasion. 

Being an internationally prolific wine region, there are a multitude of quality producers that call Piemonte home, but today, we focus on Enrico Serafino. Founded in 1878 by their namesake, this winery has holdings all throughout Piemonte in some of the most prolific areas: Barolo, Langhe, Roero, and Monferatto, which also happen to be UNESCO World Heritage Sites. This family-owned and operated winery pays proper respect and homage to these storied lands, respecting tradition while looking forward to the future. Since their founding, Enrico Serafino winery has held to the ethos that each vineyard site offers just one specific wine, and they work as sustainable farmers to respect that and bring the wine to life.

At Spencer & Lynn are proud to showcase this family with two offerings:

• Sparkling Gavi

• Barolo

The sparkling gavi is a fascinating case study in champagne methodology with Italian sensibility. As a still wine, Gavi is light, refreshing and bright; a perfect wine to enchant bored pinot grigio drinkers. But in the hands of Enrico Serafino, the wine sees a champagne-like production, with a minimum of 30 months ageing on the lees, which imparts depth, texture, and richness to this lively wine. The resulting sparkling wine is simultaneously rich and textural while still maintaining electric acidity. Enrico Serafino is at the forefront of this production, producing 20% of the world’s Sparkling Gavi, which is only made from about 50 hectares of grapes from one singular appellation they pushed to create: Alta Lunga. We welcome you to shake up your usual prosecco or champagne toast with something uniquely Piemonte. Throw in a charcuterie board, or maybe some friend chicken, and you’ve the trappings of a perfect end of summer lunch.

Enrico Serafino’s “Monclivio” Barolo is unique in that they are one of the few wineries legally allowed to make this wine outside the area of Barolo, thanks to being grandfathered in due to their continuous production over the last 140 years, longer than the current area borders have existed. As always, this Barolo is 100% Nebbiolo, a grape which might appear pale in the glass, but makes wines bursting with cherry, plum, tobacco, truffle, violets, and roses. It is deceptively full-bodied, intensely tannin, and pointedly vibrant on the palate. This wine is lovingly made entirely by hand, from harvest to bottling, and this careful handling allows the wine’s delicate powerful elegance to shine through. If you’re looking for a wine that will play equally well with steak, barbeque, matured cheese, or the most ubiquitous and luxurious of pairings, truffles, look no further and prepare to be wooed by The King of Wines and the Wine of Kings, look no further than Enrico Serafino Barolo.