Cellar Raid Highlight: Settimana Bianca
Cellar Raid: Half Priced Bottles of 750ml Wine Every Tuesday in our Enoteca.
As the snow starts to fall, let me take you to the Italian Alps for a beloved winter tradition: Settimana Bianca - literally the “White Week.” This isn’t just a ski trip; it’s a cultural event that brings families and friends together to embrace the season with warmth, indulgence, and breathtaking mountain views.
The idea of Settimana Bianca gained popularity after World War II, as Italy’s northern regions rebuilt and flourished. What began as a luxury for the elite soon became an annual tradition for Italians of all backgrounds - a week-long winter escape to the Dolomites or Alps, filled with skiing, hearty meals, and long evenings sipping wine by the fire.
Even today, it’s more than a vacation - it’s a celebration of life’s pleasures. Whether you’re hitting the slopes or simply taking a winter break at home, Settimana Bianca is about slowing down, savoring good food, and sharing special moments over incredible wine.
This Week’s Featured Selections:
Brunello di Montalcino, Baricci 2019
Baricci holds a revered place in the world of Brunello - an estate built on tradition and excellence. This 2019 vintage is pure magic, offering notes of wild cherry, balsamic herbs, and forest floor. It’s structured yet inviting, the kind of wine that demands a slow evening by the fire. Pair it with a rich cinghiale ragù to bring a bit of Toscana into your life.
A glass of Baricci’s Brunello is like slipping into a cozy wool sweater after a day in the cold - it wraps you in warmth and comfort, with every sip revealing new layers of complexity.
Barolo, Fratelli Alessandria “Monvigliero” 2019
If there’s one cru in Barolo that whispers elegance and tradition, it’s Monvigliero. This particular vineyard is known for its sandy soils that yield Nebbiolo with floral aromatics and delicate spice. The 2019 vintage from Fratelli Alessandria is sublime - notes of rose petals, black tea, and red currants meet silky tannins and a finish that lingers like a snowflake on your tongue.
Pour this alongside braised short ribs or truffle topped pastas for a dinner that feels like an alpine retreat. This wine captures the essence of Piemonte’s winter landscape: rustic yet refined, with a touch of magic.
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In the mountains, you don’t need much to be happy - just something hearty to eat, a crackling fire, and a glass of something extraordinary. Both Brunello and Barolo embody the heart of Settimana Bianca: elegance, tradition, and a sense of place. These wines remind us to slow down and savor every moment.
Even if you can’t make it to Cortina d’Ampezzo or Madonna di Campiglio this year, you can create your own Settimana Biance with us at Cinghiale. There is no better way to embrace winter than with a good bottle of wine, a delicious meal, and time well spent with family and friends.
