E. Pira (Chiara Boschis) Barolo ‘Cannubi’ 2021

Why is this Wine so Yummy?

About E. Pira (Chiara Boschis)

Chiara Boschis shares her thoughts during harvest (starting from 5min 10s).

Chiara Boschis is widely recognized as one of the first women producers in Barolo, though her family has a long history (nine generations) of winemaking. In 1980, the Boschis family (of Giacomo Borgogno e Figli) acquired the E. Pira & Figli estate, procuring some of the most prestigious land in Barolo. After graduating, Chiara became involved full-time in the family business, following her own great passion for the world of wine. As the only woman in a group of young winemakers credited with revolutionizing the area’s winemaking in the 1980’s, Chiara affectionately became known as the “Barolo Girl.” Chiara officially took the reins in 1990, bringing her unique combination of dedication, charm, patience and determination to every aspect of production in order to raise the quality and image of the winery to that which it enjoys today. In 2010, Chiara’s younger brother Giorgio joined her, contributing 30 plus years of experience both in the vineyards and cellar.

Chiara is an artisan grower, whose philosophy is to craft wines that combine the extraordinary power of Barolo with approachability, balance, intense aromatics, and elegance. This equilibrium is achieved through strict vineyard management (all work is carried out manually), careful selection, organic farming practices and meticulous vinification techniques that favor a gentle touch, allowing the grapes to express their true character. Chiara is a farmer first. She then unites the best of traditional and modern winemaking techniques in a continuous endeavor to consistently produce high quality wines representative of their heritage.

“It was a very exciting time when I started. This group of friends and I, the “Barolo”boys,” as they are called now were always exchanging suggestions and ideas. We wanted to make Barolo the best we could. I remember in 1994, Giorgio (Rivetti) and I went around at night to green harvest, so that the neighbors wouldn’t see how many bunches we were cutting. When my father saw the result the next day, he said I was throwing away money, he was traditional and didn’t understand. But you know, I think, when you want to do something completely different, you have to do it your own way.”

Chiara Boschis

In the Vineyard

The 2021 Vintage

Having now tasted dozens of 2021 Barolos and Barbarescos they can be summed up as wines of energy and freshness, in general having a smidge less alcohol than usual, fine lines of juicy acid complexed with ripe, sweet and layered tannins. These are classic Nebbiolos with exceptional length and depth of fruit that will in the come years be a demonstration of the entrancing beauty of Nebbiolo.

We’ve seen it in the Langhe Nebbiolos, Barberas and Dolcetto’s from 2021. The Barbarescos and Barolos are living up to their predecessors high standards.

A mild, wet winter created water reserves for what became a very dry season. A long period of fine weather began with spring and lasted throughout the summer, with average temperatures recorded. The harvest of healthy and perfectly ripe berries began mid-September with whites and Dolcetto, followed by Barbera.

The first picks of nebbiolo began in the last days of September, peaking in the second week of October, aided by lower temperatures and a marked diurnal shift from mid-September onwards. In summary, 2021 was a year of remarkable quality, and no doubt in part due to the lower yields

Vintage reports from others to explore

Alessandro Masneghetti’s 2021 Barolo Vintage Report.

Barolo Vinification

All three wines are fermented in steel with frequent pumping over and punch downs. In the cantina, the wines spend two years in oak. The most ‘elegant’ vineyards (Cannubi, Liste, Paiagallo, Terlo, Gabutti and Baudana) in 2000l casks, Ravera and Mosconi in barriques (10% new).

Where in the World is E. Pira (Chiara Boschis)?

This 3D flyover is Epic covering each of the communes you can see just how varied and extreme the aspect of each vineyard is and how in the space of a few metres just how dramatically the change.