Episode 83: Chiara Boschis

E.Pira e Figli is a key player in the history of Barolo. The Pira family, whose members have been vignerons for generations, started producing and bottling wineat the end of the 19th century, receiving immediate recognition for their stellar quality! When the Pira lineage ended tragically with the death of Luigi Pira, theestate was sold to the Boschis family, of Giacomo Borgogno & Figli. Chiara Boschis took the reins in 1990 with a clear vision of what she wanted to accomplish: to marry the extraordinary power of Barolo with approachability, enticing elegance, and lush, intense aromas. She vinifies exclusively fromproprietary vineyards, located in the very best crus of Barolo: Cannubi, Mosconiand Via Nuova, for a grand total of only 6 acres! Annual production is a miniscule 2,000 cases. In the short time Chiara has run the estate, she has quickly become a ‘Superwoman’ in the area, as one of only a few female winemakers in the Langhe. Her wines are also no strangers to the limelight, regularly garnering high praise from international publications. This is truly a rare gem of an estate! Chiara’s Baroli are reminiscent of great Burgundy. She is a farmer first, as winemaker, she is a master at tannin management, crafting finessed and sophisticated wines that are some of the most aromatically dynamic expressions of Barolo today. This program has been sponsored by Bonnie Plants. Today’s music provided by Pamela Royal. “When you leave the door of the cage open, the birds never fly away.” [5:00] “The youngsters are always a little bit revolutionary.” [11:30] –Chiara Boschis on In the Drink