It ain’t just Nebbiolo, you know.  Piemonte produces scores of other red wines from the likes of Barbera, Dolcetto, Grignolino, Pelaverga, Freisa and more.  This last red grape, Freisa, is an interesting genetic cousin of Nebbiolo sharing its tendency towards high acidity, firm tannins and floral aromas.  It is, though, fresher, fruitier and far more vibrant in nature than Nebbiolo, making it a wine more for immediate enjoyment and not for cellaring.  It’s been in the ground for centuries but, even so, only a few wineries still produce it.  Certainly not many produce a Freisa that is as inviting and delicious as La Casaccia’s.  Located in the village of Cella Monte in the Monferrato hills of Asti province, this small, family-owned estate is managed by Giovanni Rava, his wife Elena, and their two children, Margherita and Marcello.  Realizing their life-long dream of living naturally and sustainably, Giovanni and Elena established La Casaccia as an organic farm that produces fruits and vegetables as well as wine from their organically-farmed vineyards spread out over the limestone and chalk soils of the district.  Operating out of an old, stone farmhouse, complete with an underground cellar hand-carved out of limestone, Giovanni makes a variety of wines from the local grapes, none better than his 2020 La Casaccia Freisa del Monferrato. It is a lovely version of the grape, aromatic of spring flowers, fresh raspberries and strawberries with the woodsy spice and firm structure of Nebbiolo but with the light and lively texture that is found in the best  examples of Freisa.  Harvested by hand, using only the free run juice and fermented in temperature-controlled stainless steel, the wine is fuller than you might expect, making it perfect for drinking on its own or paired with boldly seasoned meat or vegetable dishes.  At $19 a bottle, it’s a light and lively red you can drink every day!  - Frank Rothstein, Minister of Value