Barolo Pio Cesare 1980
This 1980 Barolo is produced by Pio Cesare, a historic estate located in the heart of Alba. Founded in 1881 when Cesare Pio decided to bottle his wine rather than sell it in barrels, the winery represents a defining pillar of Piemonte's wine history. The estate's cellars feature walls dating back to the Roman era, around 50 BC. Today, the winery is managed by the fifth generation, Federica Boffa and her cousin Cesare Benvenuto, who continue the family's legacy of bridging tradition and modernity. Pio Cesare was also among the first Italian producers to seriously export to the United Kingdom in the 1950s, playing a significant role in establishing Barolo's international reputation.
The wine originates from Piemonte in northwestern Italy, a region surrounded by the Alps and celebrated for its dramatic, steep hills and deep focus on terroir. In the Langhe subregion, thick autumn fog frequently blankets the hillsides, protecting the vineyards and ensuring a long ripening period. Within this landscape lies Barolo, situated southwest of Alba, which stands as one of Italy's most prestigious wine areas. The 1980 vintage in this region is described as light and uninteresting.
This Denominazione di Origine Controllata e Garantita (DOCG) wine is made entirely from Nebbiolo, an Italian top grape predominantly cultivated in Barolo, Barbaresco, and throughout Piemonte. Following the estate's traditional approach to crafting classic Barolo, Pio Cesare carefully selected the Nebbiolo grapes for this wine from their family-owned vineyards across the communes of Serralunga d'Alba, Castiglione Falletto, and Monforte.
The history of the wine
Below, you can delve into the history of this wine — its producer, grape, area, and region.
Piedmont
Piedmont (which literally means "at the foot of the mountain") is located in northwestern Italy, surrounded by the Alps. It is considered one of the world's absolute most prestigious wine regions. The area is known for small, passionate, family-run wineries and a huge focus on terroir (how the soil and microclimate affect the wine).
Classic characteristics of Piedmont:
The royal wines: This is where the world-famous, complex and expensive red wines Barolo and Barbaresco come from (both made from 100% Nebbiolo).
Everyday heroes: In addition to Nebbiolo, the region is famous for the grapes Barbera (juicy, acidic and incredibly popular) and Dolcetto (dark, soft and fruity).
The white and sweet: Piedmont also makes the crisp white wine Gavi and the famous, lightly sparkling dessert bubbles Moscato d'Asti.
The landscape: Dramatic, steep hills – especially in the Langhe sub-area. The hills are often shrouded in thick morning mist in autumn, which protects the grapes and allows for a long, perfect ripening.
Gastronomy: An absolute mecca for food lovers. The area is world famous for the exclusive white truffles from Alba, hazelnuts and rich, simmered dishes that scream with a glass of local red wine.
When this wine was made, the world looked very different. Here are some of the stories that unfolded while this bottle quietly aged in its cellar.
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How it handles
you your wine
Storage
Store the bottle horizontally at 12–14°C and avoid direct sunlight, vibrations, and temperature fluctuations.
Opening
Allow the bottle to stand upright for 24–48 hours before opening to allow sediment to settle. Use a professional corkscrew and open carefully.
Enjoyment
Serve at 17–18°C and be patient – there is a great difference in how and how quickly wines open up when they are aerated.
GUIDE TO THE GOOD WINE EXPERIENCE
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