PREMIUM CASE WINE DESCRIPTION - OCTOBER 2026
One of Cavinona’s first loves was Alto Piemonte, a remarkable corner of northern Piedmont where Nebbiolo takes on a distinctly Alpine character. In these three red wines, we invite you to discover three different expressions of the same grape and terroir: Carema Classico is the most delicate and fresh, Carema Riserva brings greater depth and complexity, while Gattinara Vigna Valferana is the most structured and mineral, shaped by its iron-rich volcanic soils.
Learn more on our blog: ALTO PIEMONTE: THE NEW FRONTIER OF NEBBIOLO
Produttori di Carema – Carema Classico DOC
Grape: 100% Nebbiolo, locally known as Picotendro, the traditional grape of Carema.
Region: Carema DOC, Piedmont. Located in the northernmost part of Piedmont, close to the Valle d’Aosta border. Vineyards are planted on steep, terraced slopes with traditional pergolas supported by stone pillars known as pilun.
Tasting Notes: Bright garnet red with orange reflections. Aromas of red berries, dried rose and violet, with balsamic and subtle mineral notes. On the palate, it is fresh, elegant, and savoury, with vibrant acidity, fine tannins, and a delicate but persistent finish.
Vinification & Ageing: Hand-harvested grapes are fermented in stainless steel tanks. The wine is aged in large oak barrels before release, allowing the Nebbiolo to develop complexity while retaining its characteristic freshness and Alpine elegance.
Ageing Potential: 8–10+ years.
Food Pairing: Pasta with meat or mushroom sauces, risotto, roasted and braised meats, mushrooms, game, and medium-aged cheeses.
Fun Fact: Carema is one of Piedmont’s smallest and most distinctive appellations. Its vineyards are built into dramatic stone terraces at the foothills of the Alps, with the traditional pilun supporting the pergola-trained vines. The local name Picotendro is unique to Carema and reflects the area’s distinctive expression of Nebbiolo.
Discover more about this producer: Produttori di Carema
Produttori di Carema – Carema Riserva DOC
Grape: 100% Nebbiolo, locally known as Picotendro, the traditional grape of Carema and one of Piedmont’s most distinctive expressions of Nebbiolo.
Region: Carema DOC, Piedmont. Located in the northernmost part of Piedmont, close to the Valle d’Aosta border. The vineyards are planted on steep, terraced slopes with traditional pergolas supported by stone pillars known as pilun.
Tasting Notes: Brilliant garnet red with characteristic orange reflections. Aromas of dried rose and violet mingle with red berries, balsamic notes, spices, and delicate mineral nuances. Elegant and harmonious on the palate, with vibrant acidity, refined tannins, good structure, and a long, savoury finish.
Vinification & Ageing: The grapes are hand-harvested and fermented in stainless steel tanks. The wine is aged for a minimum of three years, including at least 12 months in large oak barrels, followed by further bottle ageing before release.
Ageing Potential: 10+ years.
Food Pairing: Game, braised and roasted red meats, hearty pasta dishes, mushrooms, truffle dishes, and mature cheeses.
Fun Fact: Carema Riserva is a more structured and developed expression of the same Alpine Nebbiolo terroir. Compared with the Classico, its longer ageing brings greater aromatic complexity, depth, and tannin integration while preserving the distinctive freshness of Carema.
Discover more about this producer: Produttori di Carema
Paride Iaretti – Gattinara DOCG Vigna Valferana
Grape: 100% Nebbiolo, the quintessential Piedmontese grape, particularly well suited to the mineral, high-altitude terroir of Gattinara.
Region: Gattinara DOCG, Piedmont. Vigna Valferana is a small cru in the hills of Gattinara, planted on ancient volcanic soils rich in porphyry and iron crystals.
Tasting Notes: Garnet red with orange reflections. Aromas of rose and violet are accompanied by balsamic and mineral nuances. Elegant, savoury, and structured on the palate, with vibrant acidity, refined tannins, pronounced minerality, and distinctive iron-like notes.
Vinification & Ageing: The grapes are hand-harvested in small 20 kg boxes and fermented in stainless steel. The wine macerates on the skins for approximately 30 days, with délestage and manual punch-downs. It then spends 12 months in tonneaux and a further 24 months in large Slavonian oak barrels.
Ageing Potential: 15+ years.
Food Pairing: Game, braised and roasted red meats, truffle dishes, risotto, mushrooms, and mature cheeses.
Fun Fact: Vigna Valferana is a tiny vineyard of approximately half a hectare and is considered the flagship vineyard of Paride Iaretti. Its volcanic porphyry soil contains an exceptional concentration of iron crystals, which the producer identifies as one of the key reasons for the wine's distinctive mineral and ferrous character.
Discover more about this producer: Paride Iaretti
Ermes Pavese – Blanc de Morgex et de La Salle Valle d’Aosta DOP
Grape: 100% Prié Blanc, an indigenous Alpine grape variety cultivated almost exclusively in the high-altitude vineyards of Valle d'Aosta.
Region: Valle d’Aosta DOP – Blanc de Morgex et de La Salle. The vineyards are located between approximately 900 and 1,200 metres above sea level in the communes of Morgex and La Salle, among the highest vineyards in Europe.
Tasting Notes: Clear straw yellow with golden reflections. Aromas of aromatic herbs, hawthorn, white pear, and subtle white pepper. Fresh, intense, and mineral on the palate, with lively acidity, a savoury character, and a persistent finish.
Vinification & Ageing: The grapes are hand-harvested and pressed whole. Fermentation takes place under controlled temperatures, followed by approximately nine months of ageing in stainless steel before bottling. The wine is released after a short period of bottle ageing.
Ageing Potential: 4–6 years.
Food Pairing: Alpine cheeses, freshwater fish, seafood, white meats, fondue, charcuterie, and mountain appetizers.
Fun Fact: Ermes Pavese's vineyards reach up to 1,200 metres above sea level, where Prié Blanc is traditionally trained using the low pergola system to protect the vines from the extremely cold nighttime temperatures. The winery was founded in 1999 and focuses exclusively on wines made from Prié Blanc.
Discover more about this producer: Ermes Pavese
