What I Drank Last Week from the Pip Wine Shop

Folk Machine, Charbono, 2018

Fellow Pips, how about exploring a grape varietal that has at least 31 synonyms – yes, 31 that I have counted. This is a rare Italian grape varietal from the Piedmont region of Italy. One of the early synonyms for this grape is Dolcetto nero, “small sweet black.” The Charbono wine grape was introduced to the Napa Valley by Italian immigrants in the late 19thcentury as Barbera. Research later confirmed that the grape called Barbera was really Charbono.

The Folk Machine Charbono is dark purple, with a heavy nose. On the palate it is light with hints of blueberry. The wine is medium dry with a medium finish. The 2018 vintage was produced with 20% whole cluster, uninoculated fermentation (e.g. the stems were included in the fermentation and was produced with natural yeasts present on the grape skins and in the barrels).

This one will be great with barbeque. Serve slightly below room temperature with pork or beef. 

Pick it up at the Pip Wine Shop for $19.00. It is a great value.

Cheers,

Jaque