Thanks to tasting samples from Coppo Wine Cellars, our World Wine Travel writers have a unique chance to explore and share insights into this historic Piemonte producer northern Italy. Join us on October 26 for a deep dive into Coppo wines, the unique Canelli terroir, and the Nizza DOCG—expect an exciting range of impressions and pairing ideas!

About Coppo Wine Cellars

Coppo Wine Cellars, established in 1892 in Canelli, Piemonte, is a historic, family-owned winery with over 130 years of winemaking tradition. Over the decades, they’ve faced challenges and triumphs, but their dedication to excellence has remained unwavering. Early on, Coppo made history by being among the pioneers in Italy to bottle estate-grown grapes, a bold move in the early 20th century.

Today, Coppo’s approximately 85 hectares of vineyards spread across Alto Monferrato and Langhe, cultivating native varieties like Moscato Bianco, Barbera, and Cortese, alongside Pinot Noir and Chardonnay for their Spumante. In Langhe, Nebbiolo is king, and Coppo’s connection to this varietal runs deep. Remarkably, they’ve been producing Barolo since the 1950s and are uniquely authorized to vinify Barolo outside the delimited DOCG zones—a rare exception granted due to their historical contributions.

Carved from tufa limestone beneath Canelli in the late 18th century, Coppo’s underground cellars—known as the “Underground Cathedrals”—are a remarkable fusion of architecture and history, earning UNESCO World Heritage status in 2014. These cellars stand as a testament to Piemonte’s winemaking legacy, and recent renovations now allow Coppo visitors to tour this incredible space and experience its unique atmosphere firsthand.

Sustainability has been at the core of Coppo’s vineyard management since 2001, when they began practicing integrated agriculture. Over time, they’ve embraced organic and biodynamic farming methods, all with the aim of nurturing biodiversity, maintaining healthy soils, and reducing their environmental impact. Their efforts not only honor their past but safeguard Piemonte’s rich winemaking heritage for future generations.

In My Glass

Disclosure: The wines featured in this post was provided as media samples. No compensation was involved, and all opinions expressed are mine.

Tasting Notes:

• 2021 Coppo Nizza Pomorosso – Italy, Piedmont, Asti, Nizza
  Medium dark ruby color with dried cherry, blackberry, vanilla, raspberry sauce, black pepper, licorice aromas with a hint of eucalyptus aromas and a touch of heat. On the palate, it’s medium-bodied with lively, mouthwatering acidity and velvety tannins with tart black cherry, ripe blackberry, vanilla, cacao, and dried herbs which give it a nice bit of savoriness. Long finish.
  Coppo takes well-deserved pride in this wine. It’s robust and delicious, showcasing a dynamic balance of fruitiness and savory notes that keeps it engaging sip after sip. While the alcohol is a touch prominent for my taste, which sometimes has me leaning toward wines with more restraint, it remains an intriguing and well-crafted expression of the Nizza DOCG. 16.5% abv|SRP – $69 
• 2020 Coppo Barolo del Commune di La Morra – Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barolo
  Pale ruby with leather, cherry, raspberry hard candy, rosehips, crushed rock and subtle spice aromas. On the palate, it’s light-bodied and elegant with bright acidity and chalky tannins with sour cherry, raspberry, black tea, spice and a hint of red licorice flavors. Sipping Nebbiolo is always a pleasure. Known as the “King” of Italian reds, this wine offers a captivating expression of the Langhe’s terroir, showcasing Nebbiolo’s distinctive depth and elegance.14.5% abv|SRP – $59

On My Plate

We paired the wines with a Wild Mushroom Risotto featuring maitake frondosa, oyster, and cremini mushrooms, inspired by this recipe.

The verdict was a split decision. I leaned toward the Barolo, feeling it really complemented the earthy flavors in the risotto. While I appreciated the Barbera’s harmony with the risotto’s rich texture, the warm finish felt a bit overpowering. It was more of a “peaceful co-existence” pairing for me. Meanwhile, my wife went all in on the Barbera, finding it to be the perfect match with the risotto’s flavors and depth.

These enchanting wines stirred fond memories of my travels to Italy, especially the captivating landscapes of northern Italy. The prospect of visiting the UNESCO-listed Underground Cathedrals adds another layer of allure. I wholeheartedly encourage you to explore these wines yourself—each bottle is a delightful journey into Italy’s rich winemaking legacy. Here’s to uncovering delicious pairings that ignite inspiration and appreciation for the art of wine!

Hungry for more terrific pairings across the range of Coppo wines? I invite you to check out the creative ideas from my fellow World Wine Travel writers:

• Camilla from Culinary Cam says “Let’s Talk About Cortese and Barbera Grapes: Two Wines from the Historical Underground Wine Cellars of Coppo + Pairings”
• David from Cooking Chat shares “Pairings for Coppo Barbera and Moscato d’Asti “
• Payal from Keep the Peas shares “Coppo Winery 2023 Chardonnay ‘Costebianche’ x Vegetarian Punjabi Food”
• Linda from My Full Wine Glass shares “Two Piedmont classics: Nizza Barbera and Moscato d’Asti “
• Jennifer from Vino Travels shares “The Historic Coppo winery of Piedmont and their UNESCO underground wine cellars”
• Robin from Crushed Grape Chronicles reports on “Tunnels and Tufa – The Underground Cathedrals and Coppo Cellars”
• Terri at Our Good Life shares “Pairings with Nizza Barbera and Coppo Monteriolo Chardonnay”
• Martin at Enofylz Wine Blog shares “Historic Wines, Timeless Pairings: Coppo’s Nizza Barbera and Barolo with Wild Mushroom Risotto”
• Gwendolyn at Wine Predator shares “From Coppo’s UNESCO Cellars: Nizza and Gavi Paired with Shrimp Ceasar and Duck with Winter Squash Gratin”
• Lynn at Savor the Harvest shares “Chardonnay From One of the Oldest Family-Run Wineries in Italy – Coppo”
• Jeff at Food Wine Click! shares “Dinner with Coppo Wine Cellars Flagship ‘Pomorosso’ Nizza Barbera”