Renzo Seghesio Rosso Ars Vivendi Langhe 2018

“You may have the universe if I may have Italy.” -Giuseppe Verdi, composer

“Italy is a dream that keeps returning for the rest of your life.” -Anna Akhmatova, poet

“This wicked-delish Rosso at a staggering, slap-happy nearly 50% OFF is ALMOST as good as being there….almost….actually, it would be way better to be there, but this will suffice, oh YES...” --us

All true!! This rockin’ good Rosso hails from the land of ambrosial magic -- Piemonte, northern Italy, land of Barbaresco, Barolo, truffles, hazelnuts, and the wellspring of our vinous enrapturement. Specifically, Monforte d’Alba, where the Seghesio family has been a force for over a century (Renzo was the mayor of Monforte for 25 years!!). The family owns some amazing property in the coveted Ginestra cru and besides a slew of pricier wines, makes this awesome blend called "Ars Vivendi", which means “Art of Living” (Renzo is a patron of the arts and helped build an amphitheater in Monforte for concerts). Anyway, sounds like a cool dude we’d like to party with!!

THE WINE! A wine from Ginestra, the storied hillside vineyard, and THE top cru in the Monforte village, priced anything like this, is UN-REAL, truly, and we BEG you to partake. A 50/50 blend of Nebbiolo/Barbera, we like their description: “For those that are grape purists, this defies purity with the best intention. The hallmarks of Nebbiolo are not interrupted nor compromised, they are simply enhanced by the extra stuffing of Barbera’s purple plum fruit and wavy tannin.” MAKE. IT. SO. The wine bubbles over with red/blue-rich fruit, structure and brightness, perfumey raspberry and juicy plums, a touch of fantastic sweet woodsmoke (like when you get a whiff walking by your favorite BBQ spot), espresso and just totally packs it in while being relatively light on its feet and fresh as the day is long. 

A TOTAL, utter no-brainer at the price, if you love Italy nearly as much as we do!! Drink with abandon!

Fun fact: Renzo came home after college in the late 60s and started making wine in his parent’s garage, and he’s known as the “OG” in Monforte --- “Original Garagista”!!