Barolo & Barbaresco Wine Tour with a Sommelier
We will start our day in the historical center of Neive, a small medieval hilltop town. One of the towns of the Barbaresco wine area and one of Italy’s top 5 most beau...
Profile
Structure
Drinking window
Latest scored vintage 2015: best 2023 to 2050.
vintage8 yrs35 yrs37 yrs
Critic scores
| Critic | Vintage | Score |
|---|---|---|
| Decanter reviewed 2024 | 2015 | 95/100 |
Scores as published by each critic for the vintage shown.
In the glass
Aroma: wild cherry, aromatic herbs, balsamic, wild strawberry
Palate: cherry, raspberry, strawberry, chalk
From the Cerequio amphitheatre in La Morra, Conteisa is the flowery, fresh and aromatic side of Gaja's Barolo, with sweet wild cherry, herbs and fine-grained chalky tannin.
What it pairs with
- Vitello tonnato The wine's fresh red fruit and acidity lift the cold veal and tuna sauce.More wines for fish →
- Roast pheasant Delicate game meets Conteisa's perfumed, herb-edged fruit.More wines for game →
- Toma piemontese Mild alpine cheese frames the chalky tannin and cherry lift.More wines for cheese →
With cheese
Castelmagno
Our pick Qualigeo pairs Castelmagno with full-bodied reds. The crumbly, piquant paste of an aged wheel, with its blue-green veins, meets Barolo's firm tannin and high acidity, which clear the palate between pieces.
Ossolano
Local tradition Qualigeo lists Barolo first among the structured reds it calls the classic match for Ossolano. The elastic, savoury paste with its herbal pasture notes gives Nebbiolo's tannin something to grip, and an older, more intense wheel holds its own.
Gorgonzola
Our pick Qualigeo says Gorgonzola Piccante prefers well-structured, aged reds. A very piquant, longer-aged Piccante can overwhelm a delicate wine, so it wants a Barolo with enough tannin and age to stand up to it.
How to serve Gaja Conteisa
Allow 95 minutes from open to pour.
- Open and decant. Open 90 minutes before serving and pour into a decanter to aerate.
- Serve at 16-18°C. Cellar temperature (16-18°C) is the band for this style. Warmer pushes alcohol forward; colder dampens aromatics.
- Glassware. Use a large Bordeaux-style glass: the bowl shape rewards the wine's structure.
- Pair with. Vitello tonnato, Roast pheasant, Toma piemontese. Match the wine's structure to the dish's fat and salt.
History
Conteisa comes from Gaja's holdings in the Cerequio cru on the La Morra side of Barolo. Its name recalls a centuries-long border dispute between La Morra and Barolo over the prized hill.
- 1996First Conteisa vintage from Cerequio in La Morra
- 2013Returned to Barolo DOCG label
Facts
- Producer
- Gaja · visiting guide
- Grapes
- Nebbiolo (100%)
- Classification
- Barolo DOCG
- ABV
- 14.5%
- Price
- EUR 300 to 600 at retail
- Drinking window
- 8 to 35 from vintage
- First vintage
- 1996
Frequently asked about Gaja Conteisa
What does Gaja Conteisa taste like?
On the nose, wild cherry, aromatic herbs, balsamic, wild strawberry. On the palate, cherry, raspberry, strawberry, chalk. Structurally full-bodied, firm tannins, high acidity with a long finish. From the Cerequio amphitheatre in La Morra, Conteisa is the flowery, fresh and aromatic side of Gaja's Barolo, with sweet wild cherry, herbs and fine-grained chalky tannin.
When should I drink Gaja Conteisa?
Drink 8 to 35 from vintage. Young vintages benefit from 30-90 minutes of decanting; mature bottles should be handled carefully for sediment.
What food pairs with Gaja Conteisa?
Vitello tonnato is the canonical pairing. Other strong matches include Roast pheasant and Toma piemontese. The wine's fresh red fruit and acidity lift the cold veal and tuna sauce.
What grapes are in Gaja Conteisa?
The blend is Nebbiolo (100%). The wine is classified as Barolo DOCG.
Tags
Taste it where it is made: tastings near Gaja
Piedmont Winery Tour: Taste Barolo, Barbaresco & Traditional Food
Visit a famous family-run winery in Langhe, Piedmont wine Region. Meet the winemakers, learn about wine production before enjoying toasting with local wines, paired wi...
Alba: Wine Tasting and Tour with a Local Producer
Take a guided tour of a wine cellar in Alba and learn about the wine-making process. Enjoy a guided tasting of local wines paired with cured meats and cheeses.
Barbaresco wine tours (23) · Barolo wine tours (39) · Wine tastings and winery visits in Piedmont (42) · Wine tours and day trips in Piedmont (41) · Wine and cheese tastings in Piedmont (4)