24/08/2026
Bartolo Mascarello started painting his own wine labels when illness kept him away from the vineyard and cellar.
At first, it was simply something to fill the time, but soon enough his labels became little windows into his world, with drawings, jokes and political references: like this one.
The label was meant as a joke, but it caused quite a stir when an enoteca in Alba displayed it during the 2005 election campaign. The Carabinieri eventually seized the bottle from the window, turning the label into a political and wine story that became legendary!
The first half of the message was very much about wine, tho: at the time, the small French barrique was becoming increasingly popular among Barolo producers, replacing the large traditional casks. Mascarello saw it as a move away from the traditional character of Barolo and refused to follow it.
So yes, this was a Barolo made without barriques, with a rather unmistakable opinion on the label.
You can find this bottle and other rare wines at our enoteca in Barolo.
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📍Barolo: Via Roma 77
📍Monforte: Piazza Umberto I 18
📍Neive: Via Cocito 2
