Nebbiolo: Italian Tradition
The Nebbiolo grape is native to Piemonte in Northwest Italy.
- Barolo and Barbaresco are the most prominent Nebbiolo appellations. They are 100% Nebbiolo from individual villages south of Alba, and they cost a lot of money because they need to be aged for many years before they become drinkable.
- Lightly colored red wines, highly tannic when young, often see long aging, which turns them brick orange at the rim of the glass, high acidity
- With age, Nebbiolo takes on aromas and flavors of violets, tar, wild herbs, cherries, raspberries, roses, truffles, tobacco, and prunes
- Nebbiolo doesn’t travel well – Early efforts to plant it in California were eclipsed by Cabernet Sauvignon
- The Langhe Nebbiolo DOC encompasses both the Barolo and Barbaresco areas, and allows up to 15% blending of local varieties like Barbera and Dolcetto, making a less expensive, earlier drinking wine
- Ghemme DOCG – min. 75% Nebbiolo
- Gattinara DOCG – 90% Nebbiolo
- Other Nebbiolo appellations in Piemonte include Carema, Fara, Boca, Sizzano, Roero, and Nebbiolo d’Alba
