Giacomo Bologna Braida Bricco dell’ Uccellone 2009 Magnum

Giacomo Bologna Braida is an estate in the Monferrato region of Piedmont. It is particularly associated with wines from the Barbera grape variety, and is credited as the first producer in the region to prove that this variety can be aged in new oak barrels.

The flagship of the range is Bricco dell’Uccellone, a Barbera d’Asti with rich aromas, voluptuous texture and creamy oak. It is joined at the top of the range by Bricco della Bigotta and Ai Suma, which both see 15 to 18 months in new oak barriques. Braida make a range of other wines from Barbera, including a Barbera del Monferrato Frizzante, and a Barbera-dominant blend that also includes Pinot Noir, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. Braida make four white wines from Langhe from Chardonnay, Riesling and Nascetta, as well as a Brachetto d’Acqui and a Moscato d’Asti.

Braida has vineyards in several areas of Monferrato, south of Asti, and in two sites southeast of Alba in the Langhe region which supply white grapes. The estate in its current form dates back to 1961 when Giacomo Bologna inherited vineyards (and the ‘Braida’ nickname) from his father. His son and daughter now run the estate and make the wine.