The Proust Q&A: Giovanni Angeli

Giovanni Angeli of Massolino in Piedmont is the fourth generation winemaker in the family whose roots date back to 1896. Known for producing award-winning Nebbiolo and Barolo in the picturesque town of Serralunga d’Alba, Angeli talks to db about his love of pairing Nebbiolo and sushi.

What is your idea of perfect happiness?

My idea of happiness is having enough free time to spend with my family and good friends, eating good food and drinking great wines.

What is your greatest fear?

My greatest fear is probably not having enough free time doing the above!

Which living person do you most admire?

There are lots of people that I admire and it’d be very hard choose one of them as the best. In general I can say I admire people that are able to spend give their lives helping others as there are a lot of people in the world who need that help.

What is your greatest extravagance?

Drink a very cold bottle of Nebbiolo and eating sushi – sounds weird but everyone should try it!

What is your current state of mind? 

At the moment, being very concentrated on my job.

What is the quality you most like in a woman? 

Her sense of humour and her capacity to listen to other people.

Who or what is the greatest love of your life?

Always my wife and our three kids.

Which words or phrases do you most overuse?

Balance. It’s a word that applies to life and to wine.

When and where were you happiest?

When I saw my children being born.

If you could change one thing about yourself what would it be?

I’d like to spend more time for my hobbies that unfortunately, I’ve just forgotten about.

Which talent would you most like to have?

Probably being more altruistic and generous.

What do you consider your greatest achievement?

To be recognised for what I do as a winemaker.

Where would you most like to live?

I am extremely lucky to live and work in beautiful Lanhe, in Piedmont. I couldn’t desire to live anywhere else.

What is your most treasured possession?

The awareness that I have that I am a very lucky man.

Who is your favourite writer?

Antonio Camilleri, an Italian writer

Who is your hero of fiction?

The protagonist of his romances, the “Commissario Montalbano” – an Italian policeman.

What is it that you most dislike?

Some people’s egoism and indifference to others.

What is your greatest regret?

That I haven’t spent more time out of Italy getting to know other wine regions.

What is your motto?

Coherence and correctness in life and work,

Who would be your ideal dinner party guests and what three wines would you serve?

I’d like have a dinner with true wine lovers, drinking a good Riesling, a good Burgundian Pinot Noir and a great Nebbiolo from Piedmont!