Le Piane La Maggiorina 2022

Le Piane La Maggiorina 2022 is a vibrant, characterful red from Alto Piemonte that celebrates one of Italy’s most fascinating traditional vine-training systems. Named after the historic “Maggiorina” method – vines planted in groups of four, stretching toward the four cardinal points – this wine is a living tribute to local heritage and old-vine field blends. Combining Nebbiolo with Croatina, Uva Rara, Vespolina and other native grapes, it offers a beautifully drinkable, terroir-driven expression of northern Piedmont. Its unique selling point lies in the authenticity of its origins: La Maggiorina is made from old, mixed plantings cultivated in the Boca DOC area, where the Maggiorina system was perfected by architect Alessandro Antonelli, designer of Turin’s famous Mole Antonelliana. The result is a wine that’s lighter-bodied yet complex, floral yet earthy, and deeply rooted in the traditions of this cool, volcanic corner of Italy.

Tasting Notes
In the glass, Le Piane La Maggiorina 2022 shows a bright, transparent ruby-red hue with garnet flashes at the rim, reflecting its Nebbiolo core and traditional Alto Piemonte style. The nose is lifted and perfumed, offering wild red berries, pomegranate and sour cherry, woven with floral notes of violet and rose, hints of white pepper, dried herbs, and a subtle earthy minerality. On the palate, this is fresh, medium-bodied and wonderfully agile, with juicy red fruit, cranberry and cherry skin supported by fine, gently grippy tannins. Vespolina and Croatina add spice and darker berry nuances, while Uva Rara contributes softness and charm. The acidity is bright and mouthwatering, giving the wine energy and drinkability, and the finish is clean, savory and slightly saline, echoing with spice and red fruit. While La Maggiorina is made to be enjoyed in its youth for its vibrancy and aromatic lift, it has the structure to evolve gracefully for 5–7 years from the vintage, developing more earthy, balsamic and dried-flower notes over time.

Production
La Maggiorina comes from old vineyards in Alto Piemonte, within and around the Boca DOC zone, where vines grow on poor, mineral-rich soils of porphyry and volcanic origin mixed with sand and stones. This cool, elevated terroir, swept by Alpine breezes, naturally produces wines of finesse, high acidity and moderate alcohol. The historic Maggiorina training system – four vines planted together, opening toward the four cardinal directions – encourages balanced ripening and preserves a traditional, mixed field blend. Grapes are harvested by hand to maintain quality and to allow careful selection in the vineyard. The various native varieties, including Nebbiolo, Croatina, Uva Rara and Vespolina, are often co-harvested and co-fermented, reflecting the authentic field-blend character of the area. Fermentation typically takes place with indigenous yeasts in large wooden vats or neutral tanks to preserve the wine’s aromatic purity, followed by aging in large old oak casks and/or concrete, with minimal intervention. This gentle approach highlights freshness, spice and terroir rather than heavy oak influence.

Food & Serving
Le Piane La Maggiorina 2022 is a versatile food wine that shines with Italian classics and simple, flavorful dishes. It pairs beautifully with cured meats and salumi, charcuterie boards, mushroom risotto, roasted chicken, grilled sausages, tomato-based pasta dishes, pizza, and lighter meat preparations such as veal scaloppine or pork loin with herbs. It also works well with semi-hard cheeses like Taleggio, Fontina, and young Pecorino. Serve at 14–16°C (slightly cooler than room temperature) to emphasize its freshness and aromatics. A brief decant of 20–30 minutes can help the wine open up its floral and spicy notes, especially in its first few years, though it is charming straight from the bottle, particularly in Burgundy or universal-style stemware.

Producer
Le Piane is a small but highly respected estate in Boca, in Alto Piemonte, founded on the rediscovery and revival of one of Italy’s most historic yet once nearly forgotten wine regions. In the late 20th century, when many vineyards around Boca had been abandoned, Le Piane’s founders recognized the extraordinary potential of its old vines, volcanic soils and cool Alpine climate, and set out to rescue ancient plots and traditional field blends. Today, Le Piane is a reference point for the area, crafting elegant, ageworthy Nebbiolo-based wines and distinctive blends like La Maggiorina that honor the region’s heritage. The estate is known for its meticulous vineyard work, low-intervention philosophy and commitment to local varieties, which has helped re-establish Boca and Alto Piemonte on the world wine map. La Maggiorina, in particular, has become something of a cult wine among enthusiasts, celebrated for its authenticity, drinkability and faithful expression of a nearly lost vine-training tradition.