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
Red dots indicate Piemonte’s Nebbiolo appellations.