Piemonte adventure (2) La Morra: More e Macine, Osteria Veglio and Vineria Sociale
Day two began with a drive to Annunciata, just below La Morra, for lunch followed by a walk among the vineyards. Lunch was at Osteria Veglio, on a beautiful terrace overlooking the vines. The food and wine list here are spot on. I almost went for something fancy, but this was lunch and I was driving. So two inexpensive (€24) bottles from top notch producers. We took the substantial left-overs home with us for later.
GB Burlotto Dives Langhe Sauvignon Blanc 2021 Piemonte, Italy
Lovely fresh, focused Sauvignon with some rich elderflower and citrus, with a touch of pear. Lovely depth of flavour -opulent fruit but bright and refreshing too. 92/100
Guiseppe Rinaldi Freisa 2021 Piemonte, Italy
So fresh and fine with nice crunchy grainy structure under the sweet strawberry and raspberry fruit. It has a light ephemeral perfumed side but also some spicy structure and a bit of seriousness. Nervy, vital and energetic. So good. 94/100
In the evening, we wandered through the vineyards just below La Morra. La Morra has to be one of the best situated small towns for panoramic views, but it pays to drop down a short distance from the town and actually get into the vines for the best views.
The evening began with drinks at the excellent Vineria Sociale, which has outdoor seating in a great location, and a superb wine list. By the glass selections were very cool.
Alberto Oggero Roero Arneis 2021 Piemonte, Italy
Lovely weight here: lemon, pear, green apple. There’s a depth of flavour here with some richness (14% alcohol) but nice precision too. Very fine. 92/100
Rosso ‘Informale’ Nadia Curto Piemonte, Italy
A blend of Dolcetto and Nebbiolo, made naturally. Juicy and fresh with a fine green mulchy edge to the fresh plum fruit, with some jasmine as well as sleek black cherries and plums. Bright with nice grip on the finish. 91/100
Then a 10 pm reservation for dinner at arguably La Morra’s top restaurant, More e Macine. Not fancy, just very good food, affordably priced, with an insane wine list. Just one bottle as it was already quite late, but a good one (I had the same one when I ate here last in August 2021). This restaurant was pulsing: busy and full, and with mainly a young local crowd. Apparently a lot of the winemakers dine here.
Bartolo Mascarello Barbera D’Alba 2018 Piemonte, Italy
14.5 % alcohol. Vivid, dense and spicy with wonderful black cherry and blackberry fruit. There’s an animal intensity on the palate: wild and tannic with chewy black fruits. Sour cherry and damson on the finish, with liquorice and iodine. 93/100
More to come…
