The Italy Wine Project

Regions / Piedmont

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Fara DOC

One of the smallest nebbiolo DOCs in Alto Piemonte, down to a few hectares and a couple of producers after decades of abandonment. The blend requires at least half nebbiolo with vespolina and uva rara filling in, and the result is a mid-weight, high-acid red with sour cherry, dried rose, white pepper from the vespolina, and a tarry, mineral finish. It has to age three years before release and rewards more. Francesca Castaldi basically kept the appellation alive.

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If you make Fara, import it, or know who does, the form takes two minutes and I reply to every one.

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Bottles I'm chasing

ProducerWinePriceBuy
Francesca Castaldi
Fara
The essential Fara: nebbiolo with vespolina, dried cherry, pepper, iron, long acid line; Vintus import.
$30 to $38Wine-Searcher
Francesca Castaldi
Fara Pianazze
Single-vineyard riserva-level bottling released with extra age; more tar, more depth, a real cellar wine.
$45 to $55Wine-Searcher
Cantine Vallana
Fara
The Vallana family's version, if you see it; classic Alto Piemonte savor, rosehip and iron.
$30 to $40Wine-Searcher