Barolo: Nine expressions across three decades
This virtual masterclass is a unique opportunity to taste and assess the evolutionary characteristics from three leading Barolo producers across three decades.
The selection for this masterclass includes nine wines dating back to the 1990s, including from the historic 1995 and 1997 vintages, each hand-selected by the hosts themselves.
The tasting will begin with three wines led by Francesca Vaira from GD Vajra. Bricco delle Viole, meaning “vineyards of the violet”, is one of the region's most famous crus. 60 year-old vines give the wines a delicate and aromatic fruit character, full of cherries, dark berries, violets and dried roses. Enjoy the comparison between their 2017, 2012 and 2008 vintages.
The masterclass will then turn to the wines of Ceretto, led by Federico Ceretto himself. Between the town area of La Morra and that of Barolo, fully exposed to the south, the historical Brunate vineyard stretches out: a land of iconic, strongly distinctive wines. Experience their 1995, 2008 and 2017 vintages and expect a carnival of floral aromas, accompanied by ethereal accents, in the generous vintages, or by a range of citrus notes, in the fresher years.
The tasting will finish with three wines from Oddero, selected and presented by Mariacristina Oddero from 2015, 2009 and 1999. Made by her personally, they are a true reflection of her tireless work and dedication. These single vineyards-MGA selections are the very first crus her family decided to vinify separately back in the 1980s. They are the most historical single vineyards ever produced by her family estate.
Join Italian wine expert and Decanter contributor, Michaela Morris, in a journey through these incredibly special vintages and vineyards with three renowned producers. This is one not to miss for Barolo aficionados.
£145.oo masterclass wine samples (UK only) / £45.00 viewing only (includes access to all event content)
The wines
GD Vajra, Bricco delle Viole, Barolo, 2017 (Magnum)
GD Vajra, Bricco delle Viole, Barolo, 2012 (Magnum)
GD Vajra, Bricco delle Viole, Barolo, 2008 (Magnum)
Ceretto, Brunate, Barolo 1995
Ceretto, Brunate, Barolo, 2008
Ceretto, Brunate, Barolo, 2017
Oddero, Bussia Vigna Mondoca Riserva, Barolo 2015
Oddero, Vignarionda Riserva, Barolo 2009
Oddero, Rocche di Castiglione, Barolo 1999
Overview
This 60 minute tasting will begin with an introduction explaining the history and philosophy of the vineyards followed by a tasting of nine selected wines.
This masterclass has been pre-recorded in order to complement your schedule, and is available to watch, or re-watch at any time from 11 December 2021 until 10 January 2022.
Inside the tasting pack
- 9 x 75ml samples of each wine listed
- 2 x A3 tasting mats
- An A5 tasting booklet
- A Decanter pen
Quality assurance
To ensure that you receive samples in the best condition possible all wines will be tasted by a Decanter wine tasting expert for quality assurance before being re-bottled as samples. Bottling of the samples will take place in an anaerobic tank to eliminate oxygen contamination and sealed with a secure screwcap. Samples will be re-bottled and sent to you ahead of the masterclass.
Limitations
Due to restrictions on duty and costs along with supply issues, we are not always able to offer samples for purchase to our customers outside of the UK.
Please note that the wine samples for this event are currently only available to UK residents (including Channel Islands, excluding Northern Ireland)
Masterclass Hosts
Francesca Vaira
Francesca is the daughter of Aldo and Milena of GD Vajra. She has an excellent palate and is an exceptional blind taster, gifted with curiosity, intuition and an amazing memory. She is a fundamental member of the executive GD Vajra tasting panel, which decides the blends for each wine.
Francesca has degrees in history of economics and business management. The ambassador and spokesperson of GD Vajra, she has the ability to bring to life the stories that make up the estate’s rich tapestry, and transport audiences straight to Piedmont. With such qualities, she is following in the footsteps of her mother, Milena.
Federico Ceretto
Federico, the youngest of the Ceretto family and son of Bruno, was born in 1977. While studying business administration at university, he began working at Ceretto, focusing on export markets. He became CEO of Ceretto in 2019 and has dedicated himself to the search for new markets.
Federico is always ready to board a plane to one of the 60 countries where Ceretto wines are present.
When not travelling, one of his greatest passions is taking care of his house next to the family winery in Castiglione Falletto with his children, Alma Sofia and Tommaso, and his wife Manuela.
Mariacristina Oddero
Mariacristina studied agriculture at the University of Turin, where she earned a master’s degree in viticulture and oenology.
She began working at Fratelli Oddero in 1996, and in 2006 moved to the Oddero Poderi e Cantine estate, becoming responsible for the Oddero family production in La Morra and the surrounding area.
Mariacristina represents the generation between that of her father, Giacomo Oddero, and her niece and son, Isabella and Pietro. “They are the future of our company, and I am extremely happy about this future, as I imagine my father is too,” she says.
Michaela Morris
Michaela is a Vancouver-based wine writer and educator. She teaches about Italian wine internationally, is a contributor to Decanter and a Decanter World Wine Awards judge.
She was one of the first certified Italian Wine Experts through Vinitaly International Academy in 2015 and co-created the curriculum for VIA’s Italian Wine Maestro course. She holds a Wine & Spirit Education Trust Diploma.
With over 20 years’ experience in the wine industry, she has worked as a fine wine importer in Canada, ran the Bordeaux en primeur campaign for a private retailer and co-owned a company offering private and public wine tastings.
Can't get samples, but still want to watch?
For every masterclass we hold we always provide the option to watch along at home, without the need to buy samples.
We don't want you to miss out, and if you buy a 'Watch Only' ticket you'll be able to view this masterclass as well as all the other masterclasses and video content within this Decanter at Home event.
Are you a Decanter Premium member?
If you'd like to become a Decanter Premium member, you can purchase a yearly subscription from our Buy Tickets page at the discounted price of £60 (normally £75).
Get ready to unlock exclusive daily articles written by our team of wine experts. Read 1,000s of wine reviews every month and get instant access to the latest issues and back issues on the Decanter Premium App.
- Once payment has been processed and your booking confirmed you will receive an email notification to confirm delivery of your wine samples and tasting pack.
- Wine samples will be delivered by DPD. You will receive an email to confirm your delivery window at which point you are able to accept this time or change the time if absolutely necessary.
- Decanter does not take any responsibility for the wine samples once they have been delivered.
- Wine samples will not be replaced unless they have gone missing in transit.
- Wine samples are currently only available to residents in England and Wales (overnight delivery), Scotland and the Channel Islands' (two-day delivery). If you reside outside of these locations and purchase wine samples, your order will be cancelled and refunded to the payment card used for the transaction.
- Strictly over 18s permitted to purchase the wine samples.
- We have a no cancellation policy on our virtual events, however attendees may nominate an alternative person to attend up to 24 hours prior to the start of the event. This is for viewing access only and no samples will be transferred or sent. The change is at no charge, and all substitutions must be received in writing to events@decanter.com.
- This information is correct at time of publication, but the organisers reserve the right to change any part of the event without notice.
