Iuli, Nebbiolo "Malidea" 2017

€34.99

If you want to know what single-site Nebbiolo tastes like from some of the best bits of Piemonte, but don't have the funds for Barolo or Barbaresco, step right this way!

This delicious wine is made from grapes grown on a hill called Malidea that separates Iuli's Barbera from the Nebbiollo vineyards. The word means "bad idea" which of course is nonsense, but appealed to Fabrizio's sense of humour! The wine is velvety smooth and complex, showing red berry and cherry notes. There is also the freshness that comes from this sub-region, but this has been kept in check by two years of aging in large oak barrels.

The sub-zone of Montaldo di Cerrina is almost exclusively situated on a thin strip of limestone soils, which is what Fabrizio Iuli believes gives his wine the ability to show their quality in the highest and most natural of manners. This allows for the grapes to be really complex, aromatic and expressive without depending on the use of barriques to add structure. Indeed, Iuli only uses stainless steel, concrete or old, wooden neutral vats in order to allow the prized fruit to show at it's most pure. And that is the result that you find in the wine - it is subtle, complex but joyful and easy to drink.

Monferrato is a large area in the Langhe and includes the amazing Barbera-producing zones of Nizza and Asti. The ficus of these two regions means that Montaldo di Cerrina really operates as an agricultural backwater. There has never been much money amongst these farmers, so investments are sparse and because of this, chemicals have never been used and as a result all the vineyards are organic. And always have been.

What Iuli has managed is wonderful - he has brought together other growers to form a co-operative that originally produced wines in the Monferrato DOC, which is really quite posh. But as with so many things Italian the bureaucracy drove him mad and now all the wines are labelled as Vino da Tavola - simply table wines. In a funny way, that's really appropriate because the wines are so good with food!

A Malidea? Not a bit of it!

Region: Piemonte

Country: Italy

Grape(s): Nebbiolo

Style: Structured, Round, Pure, Medium Full, Fruity, Elegant, Dark, Complex, Biodynamic, Balanced

Best food matches: Venison, Steak, Salads, Roasts, Red Meats, Lamb, Hard Cheeses, Grills, Goat's Cheese, Game, Fine Dining, Duck, Cheeses, Charcuterie, Casseroles, Beef, Barbecue

Alcohol: 13%

Why buy from us?

When you buy wine from The Allotment Wine Co. you're helping a small Irish company that in turn supports small, sustainable wine producers who grow the grapes and make amazing wines. We only work with partners who share a deep respect and connection with the land and its traditions, witnessed in a firm commitment to quality and sustainability. All of which makes for better wines.

Delivery & Returns

You'll get free delivery when you buy 12 x 75cl bottles of wine online from The Allotment, saving you €7.99.

We charge €7.99 per delivery for quantities less than that.

Our hours for processing orders are between 9am - 6pm Monday to Friday.

We pack your online wine order along the following timelines:

Wine orders for delivery in Dublin, received before 12pm on weekdays are prepared so that delivery should be expected the next working day.

Wine orders for nationwide delivery, received by 12pm on weekdays are prepared so that delivery should be expected two working days later.

Customer reviews

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Paul H.
★★★★★
Amazing service from the get go!
I emailed Chris looking for wine recommendations for a birthday gift. Got a really speedy, helpful reply and not only that but he hand delivered it on time to the birthday girl wishing her a happy birthday. Absolutely bowled over by the service. Cannot recommend highly enough.
Michelle McM.
★★★★★
Could not recommend The Allotment enough. The selection is fantastic and each wine that I've drank from them has been utterly phenomenal. Delivery was no hassle and I had the wine at my door in 2 days. Couldn't have asked for a better experience.
Luke B.
★★★★★
Good range of interesting wines. Good personal attention to their orders. Very customer focused. I would be happy to recommend this company to any prospective customer.
Jim D.
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A great experience ordering from The Allotment Wine Company. A wide variety of wines to try something new and at good prices with super quick delivery! Really convenient too as opposed to trying to find parking!
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★★★★★
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Patrick H.
Hi, I'm Chris Gifford.

And you're very welcome to The Allotment Wine Co.

When you wine from me, you're supporting a small Irish business which in turn supports small, sustainable wine producers, as well as other small, dedicated Irish wine importers.

When selecting wines, I look for partners who share a deep respect and connection with the land and its traditions, witnessed in a firm commitment to quality and sustainability. All of which makes for better wines.