Barolo Chinato, Non Vintage Sweet Wine
Franco Fiorina
Bottle size: 100cl
ABV: 16%
Price:
£129.00
Description
The *Barolo Chinato* from Franco Fiorina is a rare and artisanal example of this classic Piedmontese speciality, blending the power and elegance of aged Barolo with a carefully balanced infusion of herbs, roots, and spices. Franco Fiorina, a traditional Barolo producer with a long-standing reputation for crafting structured, long-lived Nebbiolo, brings the same dedication to detail in this aromatised wine. The base wine—full of Barolo’s hallmark aromas of rose, cherry, and subtle tar—is steeped with quinine bark (*china*), rhubarb root, cinnamon, cloves, and other secret botanicals, creating a bittersweet elixir with both gastronomic appeal and historical medicinal roots.
In the glass, the Franco Fiorina *Barolo Chinato* would display a deep garnet-brown hue with amber glints, signalling both its maturity and the influence of the botanical infusion. The nose is immediately captivating, opening with dried cherry, plum, and rose petal, then evolving into layers of cinnamon, nutmeg, and clove. Bitter-herbal tones from quinine and gentian root mingle with cocoa, liquorice, and candied orange peel, while a subtle balsamic lift adds freshness and complexity.
On the palate, it is velvety, warming, and perfectly poised between sweetness and bitterness. Rich flavours of spiced red fruits, dark chocolate, and caramelised citrus are complemented by the earthy, medicinal depth of the herbs. Nebbiolo’s natural tannic structure provides a fine framework, while lively acidity keeps the wine bright and energetic. The finish is long and resonant, leaving lingering impressions of spice, citrus zest, and bittersweet botanicals.
Best served slightly chilled or at cellar temperature in a small tulip glass, this *Barolo Chinato* is ideal as a refined digestif, pairing beautifully with high-cocoa dark chocolate, nut-based desserts, or aged blue cheeses. The Franco Fiorina *Barolo Chinato* is more than just an after-dinner drink—it is an elegant and historically rooted expression of Piedmontese winemaking, offering a harmonious marriage of Barolo’s nobility and the alchemy of herbal infusion.
Condition
Good conditions
