Questa

R
oberto Ferrando has every reason to
sit back and relax. Carema, one of the
great jewels of Piedmontese enology, made fa-
mous worldwide by his grandfather Giuseppe
and father Luigi in the 1950s and 1960s, when
they began vinifying it on their own, is now an
established success . Carema has always been
considered a “village cum vineyard”. There are
few places in the world with such a tight con-
nection with the vine, the natural landscape here
running over into the village down in the valley.
In the vineyard stone pillars support the pergolas
and all work is done by hand. The problem here
is that, on the one hand, the vineyards are being
abandoned and, on the other, there are people
who refuse to sell theirs to others who would be
prepared to work them. Magical wines are Care-
ma Etichetta Bianca 2008, aged in large barrels,
and Carema Etichetta Nera 2007, aged in used
casks. Erbaluce di Caluso Cariola 2011 is well-
developed and headily perfumed, while Canavese
Rosso 2010 is pleasant, fruity and juicy. Caluso
Passito 2006, finally, is rich and sweet with defi-
nite notes of withered fruit and toastiness.
WINE GROWERS
341