La Miraja Freisa d'Asti | 2022

An offspring of Nebbiolo, Freisa can range from light-hearted to tannic and rich wines. Pronounced "FREEH'EE-za," the name comes from the Latin fresia, meaning strawberry. Also planted in Lombardy and the Veneto, its home is Asti, but big names like Barolo and Barbaresco eclipsed its appeal in the 20th century.

100% estate fruit from a single vineyard, La Miraja makes less than 200 cases of this Piedmontese gem. Hand-harvested, the fruit is destemmed and then crushed by basket press into stainless-steel tanks, where it stays in contact with the skins for 10 days while natural fermentation happens. Rested in tank, then in bottle, the nose spills over with wild strawberries, sweet-and-sour cherries, and forest-y spice. With solid structure, but not as tough and dusty as a Nebbiolo, Freisa offers incredible value considering its rarity. I wish there was more of it, but then, would it be as special? ~Allegra A