Flavio Roddolo, Barolo DOCG, Ravera

The small and historic wine producers have long since supplanted the rock stars of yesteryear. But the cool thing is that the rock star doesn't welcome you on a Friday afternoon, in work shoes and a flannel shirt, to dedicate two hours of her life to you. Roddolo yes. This is the old cellar. Don't go in, it's a little flooded . The first surprise is to see a good bit of barrique in the half-light of the Roddolo cellar: but how the small barrel was not evil? Obviously not, according to him: You just need to know how to use wood. These are small but good, and have made many passes . We go out to take a look at the vineyards, and the eye is dazzled by the Langa. For the first time, I frame the character: mustache and white hair, thin, vague resemblance to Paolo Conte, Flavio Roddolo is a legend of the Langhe and hypnotizes you with his slow but inexorable speech. From 500 meters up his hill, he teaches me a little lesson to chromatically recognize the vines: red for dolcetto, yellow for his legendary cabernet, and greenish for Nebbiolo. 'Look there, in Monforte under those little houses, that's my Barolo'. A Barolo, known all over the world: 3000 bottles a year that enthusiasts fight. In reality, this is a zone of dolcetto and ours is quick to extol the praises of everyday wine, which has fed him and his family for 70 years.