December in the Langhe: vineyards, cellars, and the magic of Christmas among Barolo, Nebbiolo, and wine traditions.
In December, the Langhe dress themselves in silence, with hills that—when the snow decides to visit—become a white sea dotted with vineyards and farmhouse rooftops, a perfect scenario to narrate the world of wine in winter. This year too, rain has been scarce, and drought remains a concrete concern, despite the satisfaction for an almost perfect harvest, more generous in quality than in quantity.
The good fortune of having fertilised all the vineyards in advance has been precious, as manure remains one of the best natural reserves of soil moisture. Yet, rainwater continues to be the most awaited guest in the Langhe hills. Meanwhile, the vines slowly shed their leaves, entering winter rest and preparing the ground—in every sense—for the pruning work that will begin around mid-month, if the cold keeps making itself felt during the Langhe nights.
December in the cellar: new wines and the identity of the territory
While everything rests in the vineyard, the cellar savours the present: previews of the wines from the ending vintage already reveal in the glass the character of each variety, each hill, each exposure. Every tank is vinified separately based on exposure, soil type, vine age, and grape tasting, in order to preserve the unique voice of every micro-parcel and every vineyard.
The last malolactic fermentations are finishing, and once completed, the young wines begin to fill the barrels where they will have the time they need to slowly mature and deeply express their identity and connection to the Langhe. On our horizon stands an ever-growing respect for wine in its authenticity, and this is why two new 50 hl barrels from Stockinger are arriving: woods of extraordinary finesse that support aging in a delicate and non-invasive way.
Wine, Christmas, and winter traditions
It is almost impossible to remain indifferent to the Christmas atmosphere: lights, the scent of spices, lit fireplaces, and decorated tables turn wine into a true protagonist of the holidays in the Langhe. The traditions and legends linked to wine during this time range from the convivial gesture of toasting to the symbolic value of a shared glass—a thread that connects different cultures in a single language of conviviality.
Mulled wine is perhaps the most iconic drink of the month: it is made from red wine, sugar, citrus fruits, and spices such as cinnamon and cloves, and its enveloping aroma has become synonymous with Christmas markets, conversations in the square, and hands warming around a steaming cup. Alongside it, the most important and long-lived wines appear on festive tables—such as Barolo and great Piedmontese reds—called upon to accompany structured winter dishes and recipes for special occasions.
Langhe cuisine and great red wines. The magic of the holidays at the table
Among the dishes that speak of winter and anticipation is the Brasato al Barolo, tied closely to the gastronomic tradition of the Langhe: a long preparation, originally reserved for feast days, that required the use of fine wines and slow cooking over embers (hence the word “bras