produttori di carema

Carema DOC


I was quite frankly blown away by the wines I tasted from the Cantina Produttori Nebbiolo di Carema cooperative.
— Antonio Galloni

Sleek and silky with mountain-fresh acidity, Produttori di Carema’s wines are the epitome of Nebbiolo elegance.

Produttori di Carema – shorthand for Cantina Dei Produttori di Nebbiolo di Carema – is a group of Nebbiolo artisans operating on a heroic small-scale. Their wines are ethereal with heady aromatics (look for wild herbs, orange peel and fennel), brisk acidity and a haunting orange-tinged colour. If your Nebbiolo reference is Barolo, then these are to be understood differently, with a focus on levity, elegance, fine tannin and bright acid for structure. They are a very different face of the grape variety and testament to Nebbiolo’s magic. Their annual limited release is one of our favourites and the wines are showing the Carema hallmarks of perfume and alpine intrigue. They are the perfect accompaniment to the transition from autumn to winter and amongst the most restaurant/wine bar friendly reds in the market.

Carema is a tiny, incredibly special appellation found on the border of Piedmont and Valle d’Aosta. It is home to a unique bio-type of Nebbiolo called Picotendro (Picotendro) which is planted across 20 hectares of UNESCO listed vineyard architecture of terraces, stone pillars (pilun) and wooden pergolas. Visiting Carema, both in person, and through drinking their wines, is a pilgrimage that every Nebbiolo-lover should make.  

Although it has been *mostly* positive to see new projects/interpretations from outsiders, Produttori di Carema is the heart and soul of Carema. It is a winery made up by the locals – the generations of growers and the townspeople united by a desire to protect their vinous and architectural heritage. For very few is wine a full-time job. They tend the terraces and painstakingly rebuild granite pillar systems that hold their precious vines up towards the sun. It’s back breaking work. Support this tiny commune and its heroic growers, they make some of the most beautiful Nebbiolo wines of all.

Classico & riserva

Produttori di Carema Carema DOC Nebbiolo ‘Classico’

Stainless steel ferment with wild yeast. 7-10 days maceration. Generally spends two years in large Slavonian oak, but this is vintage dependent. (2021 aged for 12-14 months in oak)

Dried flowers and savoury complexity adds to sweet red cherry, cedar, and warm spice — tobacco and dried herbs trailing behind. Light on its feet yet genuinely ripe, the finish turns increasingly mineral and savoury. A superb expression of Carema.

Produttori di Carema Carema DOC Nebbiolo ‘Riserva’

Fruit from parcels deemed to have the finest grapes of the harvest. Stainless steel ferment with wild yeast. 30-40 days maceration in the best vintages. Generally spends three years in large Slavonian oak, but this is vintage dependent. (2020 aged for 24 months in oak).

Autumn in a glass. Tobacco, leafy earth, cedar and fresh herbs frame a supremely ethereal Nebbiolo that is also quietly powerful — sweet dried red fruit blooming from beneath the savoury mineral mix. Tension supporting grace. Beautifully composed. Gorgeous wine.

recent reviews

“The Produttori di Carema cooperative has been on a tear in recent vintages. These traditionally crafted mountain wines offer so much Nebbiolo character.” - Antonio Galloni, Vinous

CAREMA CLASSICO

“The 2021 Carema is a terrific introduction to this range. Floral and savory notes meld into a core of sweet red cherry fruit, cedar, spice, tobacco and dried herbs. This elegant, translucent Carema is deeply representative of the appellation. The 2021 marries finesse and elegance in grand style. A whole range of savory and mineral overtones punctuates the finish. Superb.”92 points - Antonio Galloni, Vinous

CAREMA RISERVA

“The 2020 Carema Riserva is laced with crushed autumn leaves, mint, cedar, pipe tobacco and sweet dried fruit. This ethereal, gracious Riserva is loaded with all of the savory, earthy and mineral character that is typical of wines from this appellation. Time in the glass brings out the wine's understated depth. The 2020 gracefully marries elegance with power.” 92 points - Antonio Galloni, Vinous

“Bright, pale garnet colour. Scent of rose hip tea, caraway seeds, fennel and alpine herbs. Pretty in the palate but authoritative, shaped with ultra slender, fine tannins that build and build through its exceptionally long finish and give the wine freshness and levity. So pure feeling, such good flavour and detail, exceptional drinking all up and generally just a darn impressive red wine.” 96 points - Mike Bennie, The Wine Front


FURTHER READING

https://polanerselections.com/producers/produttori-di-carema/

https://wordonthegrapevine.co.uk/carema-piedmont-nebbiolo/

https://vinous.com/articles/nebbiolo-shines-in-alto-piemonte-carema-valtellina-jun-2023

https://www.decanter.com/learn/what-is-carema-ask-decanter-475667/

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