Travaglini Gattinara 2019

Travaglini Gattinara 2019 is a 100% Nebbiolo red wine from Piedmont's Gattinara DOCG, bottled at 13.5% ABV (750ml). Scoring 90 points from Wine-Searcher's aggregated critics and praised by Wine Enthusiast as an "elegantly perfumed wine" with impressive balance between ripe red fruits and savory, earthy flavors, this vintage highlights what makes Gattinara one of northern Piedmont's most compelling appellations—Nebbiolo grown on volcanic soil, a distinction unique among the world's wine-growing regions.

Quick Facts: ABV: 13.5%  |  Origin: Gattinara DOCG, Piedmont, Italy  |  2019 Vintage  |  Producer: Travaglini

Production & Heritage

Travaglini is among the most recognized producers in Gattinara, an appellation in northern Piedmont that holds a singular geological distinction: it is the only wine-growing area in the world where Nebbiolo is cultivated on soil of volcanic origin. This terroir imparts a pronounced mineral character that sets Gattinara apart from its more famous Nebbiolo neighbors in the Langhe to the south. The 2019 vintage is fermented in temperature-controlled stainless steel tanks before aging in large Slovenian oak barrels, followed by a finishing period in smaller oak casks—a regimen that builds structure while preserving the grape's aromatic transparency and the terroir's distinctive volcanic fingerprint.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Opens with a delicate bouquet of violets and fresh cherries, layered with plum, blackberry, and licorice. As the wine breathes, subtler notes of vanilla, leather, and black pepper emerge alongside a thread of wet stone minerality.

Taste: The entry is soft and round, introducing ripe cherry and raspberry before the mid-palate broadens with spice, excellent acidity, and pronounced mineral tones. At its peak, complex flavors of garam masala, smoke, juniper, and earthy depth create impressive dimension that rewards attention.

Finish: Long, smooth, and streaked with tar, tobacco, strawberry, and a surprising hint of peach juice. The tannins are firm but polished, leaving a persistent mineral and savory signature that lingers well after the last sip.

How to Drink Travaglini Gattinara

This wine rewards patience. Decant for 30 to 60 minutes before serving at 60–65°F (16–18°C) to allow the full aromatic spectrum to unfold; it drinks beautifully on its own or alongside food.

Pair it with braised short ribs or ossobuco, where the wine's structured tannins cut cleanly through rich, fatty meats. Serve alongside wild mushroom risotto, whose earthy flavors mirror the wine's savory mineral backbone. Or match it with truffle-laced tajarin pasta, a classic Piedmontese dish that amplifies the wine's aromatic complexity and spice.

Best For

• Gifting an Italian wine enthusiast exploring Nebbiolo beyond Barolo
• Anchoring a special dinner featuring Northern Italian or Piedmontese cuisine
• Building a cellar with age-worthy Nebbiolo at an accessible entry point
• Introducing a serious wine drinker to Gattinara's volcanic terroir

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Travaglini Gattinara taste like? The 2019 vintage delivers ripe cherry and raspberry framed by violet florals, black pepper spice, and a distinctive volcanic mineral backbone. The finish is long and savory, with notes of tar, tobacco, and smoke.

How does Travaglini Gattinara compare to Barolo? Both wines are made from 100% Nebbiolo, but Gattinara grows on volcanic soil rather than Barolo's calcareous clay and marl, yielding a more pronounced mineral character and slightly leaner profile. Wine critic Matt Kramer has characterized Gattinara as delivering Barolo-like complexity at a more accessible price point.

Is Travaglini Gattinara good for aging? Gattinara DOCG wines are built for medium- to long-term cellaring thanks to firm tannins and bright acidity; the 2019 should drink well through 2029–2032, though it is already approachable with proper decanting.

Where is Travaglini Gattinara made? Travaglini Gattinara is produced in the Gattinara DOCG zone in northern Piedmont, Italy, situated in the Alpine foothills where Nebbiolo vines grow on the world's only volcanic soils planted to this grape variety.

What foods pair well with Travaglini Gattinara? Braised meats like ossobuco or short ribs complement the wine's tannic structure. Aged hard cheeses such as Parmigiano-Reggiano highlight its mineral notes. Wild mushroom dishes echo the earthy, savory character. Truffle-based pastas amplify aromatic complexity. Roasted game birds like pheasant or guinea fowl match the wine's spice and depth.

What sizes does Travaglini Gattinara come in? The standard bottling is 750ml, which is the most widely available format for this wine.

Is Travaglini Gattinara worth the price? Travaglini Gattinara positions as a premium Nebbiolo that delivers complexity and aging potential typically associated with considerably higher-priced Barolo and Barbaresco, representing strong value within the broader landscape of serious Piedmontese reds.

Why Travaglini Gattinara?

Gattinara stands alone among the world's Nebbiolo appellations for its volcanic terroir, and Travaglini is one of the appellation's most established and widely recognized producers. The 2019 vintage earned a 90-point aggregated critics score on Wine-Searcher and drew specific praise from Wine Enthusiast for its elegant perfume and balanced interplay of fruit and earth. For drinkers who appreciate Nebbiolo's classic tar-and-roses character but want something distinct from the Langhe mainstream, this is a structured, mineral-driven wine that speaks clearly of a place no other Nebbiolo region can replicate.