Producer Profile: Azienda Agricola Demarie in the Roero
Have you heard of the Roero in Northern Italy’s Piedmont wine region? If your answer is no, you are not alone. It’s an area that has long been overshadowed by the neighboring Barolo and Barbaresco winemaking zones, collectively known as the Langhe.
Over the summer we had the opportunity to get to know the Roero by way of Azienda Agricola Demarie and we are excited to report that the area – and the producer – are worth a visit during your wine travels.
Right now is the most popular time for wine travel in the Langhe and Roero. From mid-October to mid-November visitors from all over the world will make their way to the area for the Alba White Truffle Fair (details below). You can sample Demarie wines at the Truffle Fair, schedule an appointment to visit the winery, and even pick up The Wine Check to get your favorite Piedmont wine home.
Read our Langhe and Roero Travel Guide for all your area travel planning needs!
About the Roero
The Piedmont winemaking area of the Roero is situated to the left of the Langhe – across the river Tanaro. The Roero is known for its sandy soils, peppered with limestone and clay. The wines are also characteristic of a soil rich in marine fossils as the Roero was once completely covered by an ancient sea called the Golfo Padano.
The wines of the Reoro include Arneis (white) and Nebbiolo (red):
- Roero DOCG (red): 100% Nebbiolo. Required aging is 20 months, six months in wood. Minimum alcohol: 12.5%.
- Roero Riserva DOCG: 100% Nebbiolo. Required aging is 32 months, six months in wood. Minimum alcohol: 12.5%.
- Roero Arneis DOCG: Minimum 95 % Arneis. Minimum alcohol: 11%.
- Roero Arneis Spumante DOCG: Minimum 95 % Arneis; any sweetness level is accepted. Minimum alcohol: 11%.
Azienda Agricola Demarie: The Winery
The Demarie family has been making wine in the Roero for three generations. Today, brothers Aldo and Paolo, along with Paolo’s wife, Monica, run the cellar and operations. In 2013 they completed a new winemaking facility, which boasts Italy’s highest energy ratings, a large tasting space for visitors and events, and storage for library wines.
The family has 18 hectares with their oldest vineyard visible from the winery. Paolo and Aldo’s father and uncle replanted it when they returned from World War II.
Demarie: Roero’s A+ Energy Class Building
- Temperature Control: The winery features wall thickness of 50 cm and roof thickness of 60 cm to keep the temperatures steady, decreasing energy use.
- Natural Filtration System: A pond in front of the building provides natural filtration, using recycled water for gardens and to spray vineyards to kill disease.
- Solar Panels: The winery has 72 kilowatt solar panels.
- Heating System: One of only a few in Piedmont with vegetation generating heat and energy for the entire winery. Pruned vines serve as the heating source.
The family produces about 120,000 bottles annually with 10 wines in their portfolio, including Roero Arneis, Dolcetto, Barbera, Nebbiolo d’Alba, Roero Riserva, Barbaresco, Barolo, and two sweet wines, Moscato d’Asti and Birbet (made of Brachetto grapes).
They also make a special metodo classico Roero Arneis spumante called For You. The wine is only made in special years, when the maturity is just right. The wine is marked with a handwritten number at the bottom of the bottle. After disgorgement the wine is topped with the same wine (no vintage blending); no sugar is added.
Try all the wines at the Alba White Truffle Fair and / or at the winery.
Visit Azienda Agricola Demarie in the Roero:
Tours: Available by appointment only.
Where: Via Castellinaldo 16, Vezza d’Alba 12040. Click for Directions.
Schedule your tasting: Email demarie@demarie.com or call +39 017 365454.
Demarie is a Wine Check Reseller. If you pick up some bottles and / or a wine check there, please let us know on Instagram with the hashtag #CheckThatWine and tag us, @Lazenne. We love to see the wines going in The Wine Check!
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