- Last updated on April 13, 2023
Welcome! This is our Giuseppe Cortese Barbaresco Rabajà review.
Giuseppe Cortese Barbaresco Rabajà is a red wine made from 100% Nebbiolo grapes grown in the Barbaresco DOCG area of Piedmont, Italy.
It is produced by Giuseppe Cortese, a family-owned winery that has been making wines for over 500 years.
This wine is made from grapes grown in the Rabajà vineyard, which is known for its unique microclimate and terroir.
Find below our Giuseppe Cortese Barbaresco Rabajà full review along with our food pairings recommendations, serving tips, curiosity, and where you can buy it.
Let’s begin!
Our Giuseppe Cortese Barbaresco Rabajà Review
- Brand: Giuseppe Cortese
- Grape Varietal: Nebbiolo
- Region: Italy, Piemonte
- Tasting Notes: Red Fruit & Earth notes
- Glass & Serving: Aroma Collector / 64-68 °F (18-20 °C) / Decant 1 hr
- Store: Up to 20 Years
- Price Range: ~$65
- Bottle Size: 750 ml
Giuseppe Cortese Barbaresco Rabajà review: What's its color?
Giuseppe Cortese Barbaresco Rabajà has a pale garnet color, when swirled, the wine leaves long and slow legs on the glass, indicating its full-bodied nature.
If you want to know more about how to taste wine and the lingo that goes with it, check out this article: How To Taste Wine Like a Pro in 4 Steps.
Giuseppe Cortese Barbaresco Rabajà taste like?
Giuseppe Cortese Barbaresco Rabajà is entirely made from Nebbiolo grapes and aged for roughly 20/22 months in Slavonia oak and at least 10 months in bottles.
Find more about Barbaresco here.
On the nose, it is intense and complex, with aromas of red and black fruits, such as cherry, raspberry, and blackberry.
There are also notes of spices, such as black pepper and cloves, as well as floral hints of violets.
Is Giuseppe Cortese Barbaresco Rabajà sweet?
No, it’s not sweet. Giuseppe Cortese Barbaresco Rabajà wine is a dry wine.
Dry wine contains less than 15 g/L.
Learn more about wine sweetness level here.
Giuseppe Cortese Barbaresco Rabajà review: Which food pairs well with it?
Giuseppe Cortese Barbaresco Rabajà pairs well with a range of dishes, including roasted meats, such as lamb and beef.
It pairs also very well with rich and hearty pasta dishes, such as mushroom risotto, beef ragù or truffle tagliolini.
The wine also pairs well with aged cheeses, such as Parmigiano Reggiano, and dark chocolate.
Giuseppe Cortese Barbaresco Rabajà review: What's its alcohol content?
Giuseppe Cortese Barbaresco Rabajà wine’s alcohol content is 14.5%.
In case you wonder about alcohol content or more precisely Alcohol By Volume, i.e. ABV, measure the alcoholic strength of a drink.
There is a direct relationship between the sugar left in the wine after the alcoholic fermentation has taken place, i.e. Residual Sugar or RS, and ABV.
During alcoholic fermentation, the yeast transforms the sugar in the grape juice into alcohol.
Grapes with high residual sugar will therefore produce dry wine with a high ABV.
How many calories are in a glass of Giuseppe Cortese Barbaresco Rabajà wine?
According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture [1] a 5-ounce glass will contain about 120 to 130 calories.
Alcohol contains 7 calories per gram. So a wine with high ABV will have a higher calories per glass than a wine with low ABV.
Furthermore, sugar contributes to the calorie count.
A dry wine will usually have 4 calories per grams vs a sweet wine that will have around 20 calories per grams of carbs, which include sugar.
What is Giuseppe Cortese?
Here is an extract from the Giuseppe Cortese website:
““you have been freed from the austere qualities of your elder brother….
you are exempted from the limits imposed on your heavy and heady rivals, to you every hour is propitious, and every dish is a good companion”. From Ode to Barbaresco, by D. Cavazza, 1897.“
Conclusion
Giuseppe Cortese Barbaresco Rabaja is a wine of great complexity and refinement that truly captures the essence of Nebbiolo grapes grown in the Barbaresco DOCG area.
Its deep and complex aromas, full-bodied character, and lingering finish make it a perfect match for hearty meat dishes and aged cheeses.
Whether enjoyed today or aged to perfection, this wine is a true gem that should not be missed.
Once you had it, we’d love to know your opinion, so reach out and let’s know what you think! Enjoy!
