2025 Vajra, G. D. - Langhe Nebbiolo DOC Clare JC (750ml)
One of Piedmont's most original and irresistible wines, and unlike anything else in the cellar. Giuseppe Vajra discovered a book written in 1606 by Gian Battista Croce — jeweler to the House of Savoy — describing a method for making Chiaretto di Nebbiolo. In further research, he found that Thomas Jefferson had tasted sparkling Nebbiolo during his visit to Piedmont in 1787, describing it as "about as sweet as silky Madeira, as astringent on the palate as Bordeaux, and as brisk as Champagne." The Claré J.C. is their attempt to bring that wine back to life — the name honoring Jefferson (J) and Croce (C).
About 20% whole clusters are placed at the bottom of the vat, filled with the rest of the crushed fruit and left to ferment spontaneously. The must is then transferred to an autoclave where trapped CO2 leaves the wine just barely frizzante — the way all wines were before stabilization. Light in color and weight, with a hint of wild rusticity and a spritz of carbonic fizz — so easy-drinking that when you pour it for friends, especially chilled in warm weather, it tends to disappear fast.