Today we were at the Vancouver Club to learn more about Barolo and its friends at this premier wine event’s historic debut on the West Coast.
Hosted by I Vini del Piemonte, a private Consortium, established in 2011 by a group of wine producers. They are dedicated to promoting and raising awareness of one of the world’s most important wine regions: Piedmont. Piedmont is renowned for its incredible heritage, stunning hills and unique appellations. It boasts a constellation of family-run wineries with generations of winemaking experience.
In recent years, | Vini del Piemonte has become a reference point for both small and medium-sized wineries and Piedmontese consortia and associations, by promoting brands and appellations worldwide. With over 250 members from across the region, the consortium offers a yearly calendar of over 30 events in more than 15 countries, counting on a global network of partners and Ambassadors in each strategic wine market.
Promotional activities range from today’s signature format, Barolo & Friends event, to collaborations with renowned Italian wine guides, incoming of journalists and importers, masterclasses for wine professionals, plus wine and food events and seminars.
On top of it being home to traditional wine and food production, the area is where secular traditions are rooted. This, together with the culture contributes to making the entire area unique, and it recently being declared a Unesco “World Heritage”.
Here, Barolo, the King of wines and wine of the Kings, helped to propel the fine dining of traditional taverns and trattorias, as well as 39 restaurants that have been awarded with the Michelin stars.
With so much rich history we were in for a treat today and knew it. The day was dedicated to the excellence of Piedmont, after successful stops in major European capitals from London to Copenhagen. This is the first-ever edition of Barolo & Friends Vancouver, marking the most anticipated new entries in the Canadian wine calendar.
This inaugural showcase was a strategic bridge between the historic hills of Langhe, Monferrato, and Roero and the dynamic Vancouver market. Led by renowned wine expert Michaela Morris, this debut offered an insider’s perspective on the region’s latest evolution.
Guests were invited to discover hidden gems and small-batch family producers new to the Western Canadian circuit. Beyond Barolo guests were also able to explore the modern versatility of Barbera, the elegance of Alta Langa, rising stars like Timorasso and Arneis, Pelaverga, Ruchè, Grignolino and hidden gems like Boca. For many, this was first look at the future of the region with most of these wines making their Canadian debut here.
I was on the hunt for more aged Barolo, learning that the tannins would be softer and bolder, where the dark fruit, chocolate, leather, and savoury notes come through more prominently.
The following were the wineries in attendance, many of which producers seeking representation in British Columbia
Tenuta Il Falchetto – Nizza DOCG, Alta Langa, Moscato Canelli
Luigi Vico – Barolo Serralunga & Prapò Cru
Rabino Luigi Giuseppe – Roero Arneis, Roero DOCG, Barbera d’Alba Superiore
Montalbera – Ruchè di Castagnole Monferrato, Barolo, Timorasso
Marchesi Incisa della Rocchetta – Barolo, Barbera d’Asti, Pinot Nero
Diego Morra – Verduno Pelaverga, Barolo DOCG
Franco Conterno (Organic) – Barolo Bussia Riserva, Nascetta
Cascina del Pozzo – Roero Arneis, Barbera d’Alba, Roero DOCG
Le Ginestre – Barolo Sottocastello di Novello
Demarie (Organic) – Roero Riserva, Barbaresco, Barolo Riserva
Podere Ruggeri Corsini – Barolo Bussia, Barbera d’Alba “Armujan”
La Colombera – Colli Tortonesi Timorasso Derthona
Cadgal – Moscato d’Asti, Barbera d’Asti
Castello di Neive – Barbaresco Albesani Vigna Santo Stefano, Arneis
Producers with Existing Distribution in BC
Marchesi di Barolo – Imported by: Appellation Wine Marketing
Fortemasso – Imported by: Delf Group
Negretti – Imported by: Vinterra Selections
ArnaldoRivera – Imported by: Vintage West Wine & Spirits
Le Piane (Organic) – Imported by: Sedimentary Wines
Fontanafredda –Imported by: Dandurand -Barolo del Comune di Serralunga, Timorasso Derthona
Mauro Veglio – Barolo Arborina, Gattera, and Castelletto Crus
