Ep. 2275 Michaela Morris | Grandi Langhe 2025

Pemonte offers so much in terms of wine styles. If I could think of one region in all of Italy that has the most diversity of wine styles, it would be Pemonte, and I don't say that because I like it better than another one region or another. But you have sparkling wines. You've got white wines that are lighter, some of that that are fuller, more age worthy, and then you've got that diversity of breads with so many great varieties, and dessert wines as well. Some sparkling, some not. So I think there's so much to explore, and there really is still so much to discover. As the official media partner, the Italian Wed podcast is excited to present exclusive coverage from Grande Lange twenty twenty five. This series feature firsthand a perspective from top producer and buyers as they navigate new styles, vineyard innovation, and shifting global markets. Discover, expertise, hidden gems, and the trends shaping the region's future. Tune in every Friday, a three pm, or visit Italian when podcast dot com, for more. Hello. My name is Stevie Kim, and welcome back to Grande Delange, two thousand twenty five edition, where we are talking to wine experts from all over the world. And today, one of our favorite wine people, Mikaela Morris, from Canada. Chami Kayla. Chiao. Steve, thank you so much. She has to be Kayla. We have a soft place for her because she started the pilot program for Via, and she became the Italian wine expert. So very exciting. To have her with us. So we're going to ask you just a few questions. Okay? What have you been doing so far? I know you've been in the territory for some time now. Yeah. This is actually the end of my trip here at, Grande Langge, but I've been spending most of my time, tasting the twenty twenty one Arolo, twenty two, Barbararesco, and any Languello Nebula that I can get my hands on. Okay. So I'm going to be asking you a few questions like we have with our other guests. Number one, Which new or emerging Piamante wine styles have caught your eye in the recent years? So, I mean, there's lots to to talk about. I think, so for quite a few years now is definitely on the rise. And, there's more and more producers. So it's not just the original, like, the Valter masses, for example, who are making Chimaraso, but we see a lot of new up and coming producers, and that's something that I really like because it gives some diversity to the region where it's not just big breads, but you have also these very age worthy, whites as well. And I'm also always very interested to try whatever I can of Palaverga. It's a grape that's quite near and dear to my heart. And I think again, talking about diversity, it does give a different style of red that's really immediately drinking very pretty and still shows off the territory so well. Okay. Great. Have you noticed any specific trends in winemaking or vineyard management techniques among the producers? This year? I think, specifically, because I have been trying so much, of the the Langue Nebiola and Nebiola Dalba, you know, and especially focusing on the Bureau of Barbarresco producers, I think it's a category of wine that Now people know Nebula. Producers have an opportunity to show their style because a little bit with Barolo and Barbara, you're a bit hemmed in with what the denomination regulations tell you to do. Whereas I find some of their more experimental wines, maybe where they're doing more whole cluster or they may be using amphora, whatever it is. They're not all great, but I think experimentation is really important. And it's for me, it's really exciting to see because I think it speaks what the future of Naviola will be. Okay. And what are I mean, you're a wine writer, but from your perspective, what are the consumers or some of your colleagues as buyers are looking for currently for in terms of wines from Piamonte? I think a lot of different things. There's, you know, excitement also, let's say, with Alta Langa for a sparkling wine, because sparkling wine is still very popular. I think also people are really looking for up and comers as well because the known Barolo and barbaresco producers, prices have gone up a lot or they're they're much harder to find. So this is something that I really try to cover when I'm writing about the region. So, for example, this year from, Barolo, Carlo Rivera was, definitely a standout producer. That's right. That's right. So here, I wanna She's covering one of my other questions already. Ah, okay. It looks like do you want me to stop there? As well. And you've got Orlando Rocka, who is the nephew of Dominican Clerca. So all of these really exciting producers, for sure. This is something that I that I I'm also trying to follow quite closely. Have you encountered any unexpected grape varieties or different up and coming terroars, here at Granandilenge? I guess, I have to admit. I spent a lot of time. And I'm sick. She's the bar but although in Balbores cook girl. But also the rest of the region as well. I'm I'm whenever I do see something new, I try to I I try to taste what whatever I can. So I don't know necessarily that that there's one particular grape variety that I would say as new. I'm just I'm I'm wracking my brain. But perhaps, again, as I was saying, just the rise in Great Fridays, like Tamarasa, or I if I can speak to another one, like, Neshata, for example, and even Grignalino. I mean, you're seeing this style that some people are calling new, but in fact it speaks to the past where they used to age Grignolino, like a barolo. So it's nice to see the diversity and style coming with Grignolino as well. Okay. So looking ahead, you know, when you're going back to Canada for your audience. What are, like, the takeaways that you would love to share with your folks back at home? I think to look beyond Nebula. Definitely don't to bypass Nebula still keep buying Nebula and drink Nebula. It's great. Great. But I do think that Pemonte offers so much in terms of wine styles. If I could think of one region in all of Italy that has the most diversity of wine styles, it would be Pemonte. And I don't say that because I like it better than another one region or another, but you have sparkling wines. You've got white wines that are lighter, some of that that are fuller more age worthy, and then you've got that diversity of breads with so many great varieties, and dessert wines as well. Some sparkling, some not. So I think there's so much to explore, and there really is still so much to discover. Okay. And that was Mikaela Morris coming to you from Canada to Grande Langa two thousand twenty five. And it's a wrap. Thank you very much for joining us. Listen to the Italian wine podcast wherever you get your podcasts. We're on SoundCloud, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, HimalIFM, and more. Don't forget to subscribe and rate the show. If you enjoy listening, please consider donating through Italian wine podcast dot com. Any amount helps cover equipment, production, and publication costs. Until next time, chi ching.