Italian Wine Selections from Avalon Wine

Oregonians love Italian wine. While we at Avalon Wine specialize in Northwest wines online, we have a deep enthusiasm for Italian wines in our Corvallis store and our home cellars. Marcus is our resident expert, and he brings some of our favorite Italian winemakers to Corvallis for tastings and wine dinners.

We have access to one of the best selections of small, artisan made Italian wines in the country, many at killer prices. We seek out the gems in the rural countryside of Italy, finding stellar wines from Italian "Indies" missed by the big boys. Just like Avalon finds the best of the Oregon and Washington "Indie" wines and delivers them to you!

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Ca del Baio Barbaresco Valgrande 09 ... Wine Advocate 92+ Points Qty. $29.66 $32.95 Regular

Cascina Corte Vecchie Vigne Pirochetta Dogliani 08 You may have had Dolcetto before but you've not likely had a Dolcetto like this. No soft and fruity number, it was the bi... Qty. $20.65 $22.94 Regular

Ca del Baio Barbera d'Alba Paolina 2011 It always makes sense to have a Barbera in the house - such a versatile wine. The Paolina, from one of my favorite Barbare... Qty. $11.65 $12.95 Regular

Ca del Baio Langhe Chardonnay "Luna d'Agosto" 2012 Unoaked Chardonnay from Italy's Piedmont - damn straight. One of the wines I look most forward to this time of year, it... Qty. $13.45 $14.95 Regular

Podere Ruggeri Corsini Barbera d'Alba Superiore "Armujan" 09 Wow. This stunning Barbera Superiore is one of northern Italy's best values. Armujan comes from 60 year old vines in the ... Qty. $24.25 $26.95 Regular

Ca del Baio Barbaresco Asili 09 2009 Wine Advocate - 94 points - The 2009 Barbaresco Asili caresses the palate with soft, open fruit an... Wine Advocate 94 Points Qty. $32.36 $35.95 Regular

Ca del Baio Nebbiolo Langhe 2011 I'll spare you the flowery descriptions - Ca del Baio is giving this wine away! I can't recall a Nebbiolo that has been... Qty. $13.45 $14.95 Regular

Cavallotto Barolo "Bricco Boschis" 05 Wine Advocate 90-93 points! Wine Advocate - ... Qty. $46.76 $51.95 Regular

Podere Ruggeri Corsini Barbera d'Alba 2010 I'm not a big "color guy" when it comes to wine, but it's so easy to be captivated by the deep color of Corsini Barbera.... Qty. $14.35 $15.95 Regular

Podere Ruggeri Corsini Barolo "Corsini" 08 Previous vintage 2006 tasting notes: Decanter Magazine 4 Stars #10 Rated 2006 Barolo Qty. $37.76 $41.95 Regular

Podere Ruggeri Corsini Nebbiolo 2010 What do you drink while you're waiting for your Barolo to age? Corsini Nebbiolo! Classic aromas of licorice, tar and flow... Qty. $17.95 $19.95 Regular

Podere Ruggeri Corsini Dolcetto d'Alba 09 New release, February 2011, from one of our favorite Italian wineries. 2008 Vintage Tasting Notes ... Qty. $13.45 $14.95 Regular

Cascina Corte Barbera Piemonte 08 Lots of lush cherries and blackberry with hints of leather and minerality. Refined tannins with zippy acidity. Intense ... Qty. $18.86 $20.95 Regular

Ca del Baio Dolcetto d'Alba "Lodoli" 2011 A ‘very Piemontese’ wine which displays simplicity and straightforwardness. Cultivated in the township of Treiso on the le... Qty. $13.45 $14.95 Regular

Podere Ruggeri Corsini Barbera d'Alba Sup. "Armujan" 09 - 375ml Half size of this stunning Barbera.... Qty. $16.16 $17.95 Regular

Podere Ruggeri Corsini Bianco Langhe 2010 Delicious, crisp white blend made from Arneis, Chardonnay, and Pinot bianco. ... Qty. $14.35 $15.95 Regular

Ca del Baio Sampler Case 15% off - Save $37.71 from $251.40 Gambero Rosso says of Ca del Baio winery: "All ... Qty. $192.55 $213.95 Regular

More About -Italian Wines

The Piedmonte region of Italy, where Barbaresco is located, is almost as well known for its truffles as for its wines. The parallels of the Piemonte to Oregon (Nebbiolo and truffles, Pinot noir and Oregon's growing fame for its truffles) are intriguing. Add both regions' obsession with fine, locally produced cuisine, and the Piemonte deserves to be called Oregon's "Sister Gastronomic Region"!

Barolo and Barbaresco, the king and queen of wines from Italy's Piedmonte, have a similar allure to that of Oregon Pinot noir. They have complexity and intrigue - certain qualities that are simply hard to put into words. Perfect partners for food.

Ca de Baio Gems Found in Rural Countryside of Italy

One of our favorite wineries in the Piedmonte region is Ca del Baio. Ca del Baio's wines are called "Barbaresco", referring to the village where the winery is located. The wines are made from Nebbiolo, the star grape of the region. Nebbiolo is the diva of Italian grapes- temperamental, low yielding and late ripening, it is often compared to Pinot noir in its variability and for the quality of its best wines.

Ca del Baio is owned by the Grasso family (father and son winemakers in photo at right,) grapegrowers and winemakers since 1680. Their farm is in Treiso, a village near Barbaresco. Ca del Baio's vineyards are both at the winery (45 acres) and in nearly Asili, a village near Treiso. Asili is respected as one of the best grape growing areas in the region. While best known for their Nebbiolo based wines, Ca del Baio also grow Dolcetto and Barbera and make Docg status wines from the grapes.