Tag Archives: Vajra

All Aboard The Bandwagon – Gastrovins

27 Sep
2011

Forgive me Father for I have sinned.

It has been 9295 days since my last confession. I accuse myself of the following sins. Absolve me if you see fit.

Last Wednesday night in a quiet, private room within the Circa The Prince complex, I found myself surrounded by nine much older and wiser gentlemen, where I then proceeded to try the finest white wines that I have ever had the privilege of putting past my lips.

The sin?

They were not Italian.

They were French.

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Passion for Red Runs in the Blood – Jane Faulkner

1 Feb
2011

Giuseppe Vajra’s new venture in Barolo

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Aldo Vajra – il pio bove

28 Jan
2011

The agronomist and enologist himself, Aldo Vajra – Photograph by Gio Martorana

“It may be because I’m Taurus, an earth sign, and perhaps in that starry sky of 1953 it was written that my character would be somewhat stubborn, pernickety, and I would like good food, slow and relaxing atmospheres and reading in front of an open fire. Lazy and robust but also as active and strong as the land I love to work.

Over the past twenty years I’ve always sought the role of a simple craftsman of wine, oriented toward the continuous search for a profitable collaboration with nature who is the true artist, the only one capable of creating unique, unrepeatable wines that are different from one year to the next. It’s an ongoing research that I still haven’t concluded, with moments of joy and moments of consternation, especially when there is adverse weather that I can do nothing about.

Now and then I pause to look at my land and I observe the vineyards which, like me, have changed: today I see them differently, just as my approach to nature is different. But what haven’t changed for me in these years are certain needs for interior clarity, authenticity and transparency that I carry within me. Maybe the need to look at the world with placid and peaceful eyes, no longer those of an impetuous “bull” but, in Carducci’s words, of a patient pio bove (pious ox) silently ruminating on the lush grass and enjoying the tranquil moments that life brings.”

ALDO VAJRA – “Piemonte…noblewoman of wine” by Andrea Zanfi 2005

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Serendipity with the venerable Vajra

24 Jan
2011

Dolcetto, Coste e Fossati Dolcetto, Langhe Nebbiolo, Freisa and Bricco delle Viole Barolo

Today being Monday, the restaurant was closed and I assumed it would be quite the quiet and lonely day without my friends in black next door. Alas, things turned out to get somewhat better when I found a box of opened G.D. Vajra wines in the cheese room!

Score!

Mind you, not every day brings me such serendipitous offerings!

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