LOVE WINE AND CHEESE: Massolino Barolo 1990

Massolino 1990 Serranlunga d'Alba "Parafada"

Being right now sitting in a bed and breakfast in Rabaja` Barbaresco, I can finally say that I understand what all the strange dialectic names, written on the Piemonte wine labels mean. For example, on the bottle of Massolino Barolo 1990 it says Parafada. In the past I would have thought that it was just a sentimental name given by the producer but now, now I understand they are crus, classified and designated as great terroir for growing nebbiolo (in this case nebbiolo). "Parafada lies between 280 and 380 meters above sea level. The vines, all facing south, are the pride and joy of local growers, who love to describe in detail the qalities of their fruit. . . .We may confidently affirm that Parafada, with its 25 Piemontese giornate, or nearly ten hectares, deserves to be listed as one of the great Barolo vineyards." Ahh, from my new favorite book "A Wine Atlas of the Langhe."

I've been ramsacking my brain, over three course lunches and dinners, drinking bottle after bottle of Italian wines this last week, from Alto Adige, to Tuscany, to now Piemonte, as to why I write a wine blog. Obviously #1 is because I love wine. #2 is not because I want to teach anyone anything about wine, nor is it because I want my opinion about wine heard -- but because wine to me are like emotions in a bottle -- affected by time, people, economy, history, and there are so many factors that affect these emotions and when you drink those emotions they influence your own emotions and then it becomes personal -- and I love to write about personal shit. I love having a blog to share what I've experienced in the wine world, in the bottles I taste, in the bottles I love and I know that I am part of the market. I also know that in some areas I'm privileged to have the contacts that have in the wine world, and to have a boyfriend who is an Italian sommelier professionista who gets us through so many doors. . . and walking out those same doors with bottles of wine stuffed in our arms to taste -- to share our experience with the world -- because word of mouth is very important.

I choose to write though mostly because I have to write, I cannot help it. .. It causes me physical internal pain to not let my emotions filter through my hands through a painting or through words on a page -- or this blog. My blogs have been vital to me these last few years. The photos I have been taking are controversial to me -- I am learning and don't really have the time to dedicate to learn how to use my camera as well as I would dream to use it, but I've learned acceptance and patience. I would honestly prefer to draw or paint every wine I drink, or every vineyard I visit, because I am fortunate to visit many but not rich enough to have the time to spend every day drinking wine and then painting everything I experience.

I often ask myself, "Am I doing something wrong?" Because I really would love to spend everyday just writing and painting and studying wine and language and history, but then I think that almost everybody questions themselves. I was grateful for today though, after a bottle of Massolino Barolo 1990 that was not at its peak or bright and brilliant like some other old vintage Barolos I've had, like the 1961 Riserva Borgogno Barolo which was hands down still juicy and beautiful and elegant and I don't know why but it makes me start thinking of gorgeous baby blue and yellow butterflies dancing through a soft field of bright green grass on a gorgeous spring day.

. . .Massolino was not that -- perhaps it's not a fair comparison. I'm sorry if it's not. This was my first Massolino Barolo -- but I said to Massy -- when you drink old vintage it's a hit or a miss -- you never know what happened to that particular bottle over 21 years until it arrives at your table to be opened.