Wine expert Kerin O’Keefe travels to the glorious Piedmont region to speak candidly with Pio Boffa about the current tactics and ongoing traditions that allow Pio Cesare to retain its reputation as one of Piedmont’s oldest, most prestigious Barolo and Barbaresco houses.

O’Keefe provides magnificent insights into the rich historical foundations and glorious family heritage on which five generations of Cesare and Pio have built their name as leaders of the blended wine.

Pio Boffa indulges readers with the bold moves that enabled his family to alter the life long, grower-buyer relationships to begin owning their own vineyards, which ultimately strengthened overall quality.

One of the first to ever bottle its wines early in the last century and pioneers in exporting throughout Europe, Pio Cesare have never stood still in their focus for producing and sharing this ‘true expression of Nebbiolo’. “When the modernists reigned, I was seen as a traditionalist; now the traditionalists have made a comeback, I’m labeled a modernist”, laughs Pio Boffa.

Included in Kerin O’Keefe’s top six from Pio Cesare is the Barolo 2007, noting, “a stunning, classic Nebbiolo aroma from rose, earth and a hint of slate and leather. Complex with great depth and balance. A hallmark Barolo”. ***** 19/20

Livio Felluga, winner of 18 Gambero Rosso Tre Bicchieri Awards, had an impressive 2011. The innovative wine producers received numerous international accolades for their exquisite Friulan wines and Arquilla is excited to share some of these superb acclaims.

One of the many recognitions came from US magazine, Wine & Spirits, which rated three Livio Felluga wines as the “Year’s Best”.

Editor Joshua Greene awarded 88 points to the Livio Felluga Vertigo 2008, stating it was a simple and approachable wine. 91 points were awarded to the Livio Felluga Pinot Grigio 2009, commending its depth of flavour, structure and length. And another 91 points went to the Livio Felluga Terre Alte 2008, which was hailed as a rich wine with backbone.

Wine & Spirits’ 100 Wineries of the Year also highlighted Livio Felluga in their prestigious list of classic and up-and-coming wineries from around the world.

The Livio Felluga Terre Alte 2009 made a big impression in 2011, not only was it recognised as the best Italian white wine of the year in the annual top-list made by Gentleman magazine, it also achieved many coveted awards in several of the renowned Italian wine guides – from the Three Glasses Gambero Rosso award to Three Stars from Veronelli.

With a total of 9 high-status awards across the Livio Felluga range from some of the most respected wine guides – these influential recognitions add to a history that includes shifting frontiers, vanished empires and passing wars. With passion and tenacity, Livio Felluga has continually breathed new life into the Friulan countryside with high quality viticulture.

Click here to browse the stunning Livio Felluga wines from Arquilla.

The Saturday Age’s Jane Faulkner describes Planeta’s Carricante 2010 as “a beauty” with “super-fine piercing natural acidity” stating, “it really excites the taste buds”.

“This, its second vintage, is a beauty – super-fine piercing natural acidity driving the wine but it’s not harsh; minerally on the palate, it really excites the tastebuds. There’s a touch of dried sage, lemon sherbet plus stone fruit, racy all the way to its super long, fine finish.”

The Planeta winery was the esteemed recipient of 19 Gambero Rosso Tre Bicchieri Awards and Gambero Rosso the winery of the year in 1999, so the Carricante is sure to impress dinner guests.

Need inspiration? For all you foodies out there, try the Carricante with salty dishes, such as pasta with tuna ragout, pan fried fish, baby octopus soup, oyster spaghetti and cuttlefish sauce.

Click here to browse the full range from Planeta.

Sommeliers Australia will showcase many of Arquilla’s finest wines at the Barolo Bar, a pop up venue that will host three lavish nights of extraordinary Barolos and Barbarescos, with emphasis on vintage 2007.

The unique event will showcase wines by Pio Cesare and Elio Altare, both of whom are from the north-eastern Piemonte region, a wine-lovers mecca.

Awarded 33 Gamberro Rosso Tre Bicchieri Awards between them, Pio Cesare and Elio Altare both share a long-standing commitment to creating rich varieties. Pio Cesare  Estate’s much awarded Barolo ‘Ornato’ and Barbaresco ‘Il Bricco’ will be showcased  amongst the wines on offer at Barolo Bar 2012.

The Barolo Bar is part of the Melbourne  Food and Wine Festival, located at Bellavista Social Club, above Becco, from 14 – 16 March.

This wonderfully tempting dish, originating in Milan, is a worldwide sensation with numerous variations concocted in different countries. But the IDIC is about getting back to the roots of this tender, veal shank based feast by encouraging people to re-create the meal according to the authentic recipe.

In order to fully appreciate the Ossobuco cuisine, it is important to carefully select wines that emphasise the richness of the dish. For IDIC 2012, Arquilla suggests pairing the Ossobuco in Gremolata alla Milanese with one of the following:

Pio Cesare Barbera d’Alba – this beautifully complex red wine from the Piemonte region has hints of spicy and ripe fruit that will work with the spices found in the dish for a seamless accompaniment.

Elio Altare Dolcetto d’Alba – another from the Piemonte region, this exceptional, fruity wine will provide a supple warmth to work in harmony with the intensity of the dish.

Nino Negri Valtellina Sassella Le Tense – hailing from the Lombardia region, home of Ossobuco, this elegant, well-structured wine is another ideal match due to its full yet soft flavour that leaves a complementary pleasing and lingering aftertaste.

Buon Appetito and for further details on IDIC 2012 click here.

A beautiful, sweet wine – this is the perfect drink for any occasion, a belief that is clearly shared with the respected team at Wine Spectator.

Click here to find out where you can enjoy this stunning wine.

Following on from his explanation of the superb Philipponnat wines, Vianney goes on to tell Arquilla of his experiences in everything from the love of champagne to his love of Australia – and we ask the all important question of what to look for in a fine champagne.

In 69^th place with 91 is Rocca di Frassinello’s Maremma Toscana Le Sughere di Frassinello 2009. A superb wine from the famous wine region of Tuscany, this second label from Rocca di Frassinello is a wine of great character, which blends Sangiovese, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon seamlessly for a wonderfully balanced wine.

Sitting in the top 50 with 92 is the Zenato Valpolicella Superiore Ripassa 2007 at 48. A rich and elegant wine that is well structured with a beautiful velvety texture. This stunning wine undertakes a carefully monitored 6 months bottle-ageing to deliver the delectable taste it offers.

To make it into the top 10 on the list it takes a truly remarkable wine, which is exactly what the Domenico Clerico Barolo Ciabot Mentin Ginestra 2006 is, claiming an impressive 8^th place on the list with a 96. Domenico Clerico is widely recognised today as a star among the Barolo producers and this particular wine is no exception. By maturing in small oak casks for 22-24 months this striking, intense red wine reaches it full potential – which judging from its positioning in this reputable list, is one of the most beautiful red wines in the world.

Click here to browse through some of the most respected producers and wines in the world.

In the recent Antonio Galloni issue  of Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate, the popular US bimonthly guide to fine wine, some great reviews were published on various Pio Cesare wines with none earning less than 90 points.

The 2007 Barbaresco scored 92, being hailed as “a gorgeous, inviting wine”, while both the “powerful” 2007 Barbaresco Il Bricco and the “sweet and open” 2007 Barolo received 93 with impeccable reviews. The superb 2007 Barolo Ornato received an impressive 95. Described as a “striking” wine, Robert even exclaimed “this is one of the most polished wines I have ever tasted from Pio Cesare.”

But it isn’t just media overseas that have been recommending the beautiful Pio Cesare wines. Renowned Australian chef, Neil Perry, recently detailed one of his exquisite recipes in The Age in which he suggests the Pio Cesare Barbera d’Alba as the perfect complement to the meal. Describing the Barbera d”alba as “wonderful wine”, Neil Perry goes on to acknowledge Pio Cesare as “one of the region’s finest producers” – and as an estate from the popular Piedmont region in Italy, this is indeed high praise.