
Nebbiolo
Learn about Nebbiolo — taste profile, popular regions and more …
Named for the ubiquitous autumnal fog (called nebbia in Italian), Nebbiolo is responsible for some of the most elegant and age-worthy wines in the world and is the star variety of northern Italy’s Piedmont region. Grown as well as in the neighboring Valle d’Aosta and Valtellina, it reaches its highest potential in the Piemontese villages of Barolo and Barbaresco. This finicky grape needs a very particular soil type and climate in order to thrive. Outside of Italy, growers are still very much in the experimentation stage but some success has been achieved in parts of California. Tiny amounts are produced in Washington, Virginia, Mexico and Australia.
Nebbiolo Tasting Notes
Nebbiolo is a dry red wine with velveteen tannins, mouthwatering acidity and a captivating perfume. Common characteristics of a well-made Nebbiolo wine can include roses, violets, licorice, sandalwood, spice box, smoke, potpourri, black plum, red cherry and orange peel. Light brick in color, Nebbiolo is a more powerful wine than one might expect, and its firm tannins typically need time to mellow.
Perfect Nebbiolo Food Pairings
Nebbiolo’s love affair with food starts in Piedmont, which is home to the Slow Food movement and some of Italy’s best cuisine. The region is famous for its white truffles, wild boar ragu and tajarin (a regional pasta), all perfect Nebbiolo wine foor pairings.
Sommelier Secrets for Nebbiolo
If you can’t afford to drink Barolo and Barbaresco every night, try the more wallet-friendly, earlier-drinking Langhe Nebbiolo or Nebbiolo d'Alba. Also search out the fine offerings of the nearby Roero region. North of the Langhe and Roero, find earthy and rustic versions of the variety (known here as “Spanna”) in Ghemme and Gattinara.
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Gaja Costa Russi 2017Nebbiolo from Barbaresco, Piedmont, Italy
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Vietti Barolo Brunate 2018Nebbiolo from La Morra, Piedmont, Italy
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Azelia Barolo Cerretta 2017Nebbiolo from Serralunga d'Alba, Piedmont, Italy
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Paolo Scavino Barolo Bricco Ambrogio 2017Nebbiolo from Barolo, Piedmont, Italy
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Ceretto Brunate Barolo 2015Nebbiolo from Barolo, Piedmont, Italy
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Renato Ratti Conca Barolo 2017Nebbiolo from Barolo, Piedmont, Italy
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Pecchenino Le Coste di Monforte Barolo 2017Nebbiolo from Barolo, Piedmont, Italy
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Barboursville Nebbiolo Reserve 2018Nebbiolo from Virginia, Other U.S.
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M. Marengo Barolo Brunate 2017Nebbiolo from Barolo, Piedmont, Italy
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Ceretto Bernardot Barbaresco 2016Nebbiolo from Barbaresco, Piedmont, Italy
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Silvio Grasso Barolo 2018Nebbiolo from Barolo, Piedmont, Italy
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Renato Ratti Rocche dell'Annunziata Barolo 2017Nebbiolo from Barolo, Piedmont, Italy
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Bruno Giacosa Barbaresco Asili 2019Nebbiolo from Barbaresco, Piedmont, Italy
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Damilano 1752 Barolo Cannubi Riserva 2013Nebbiolo from Barolo, Piedmont, Italy
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Pecchenino Bussia Barolo 2017Nebbiolo from Barolo, Piedmont, Italy
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Gaja Sori Tildin 2017Nebbiolo from Barbaresco, Piedmont, Italy
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Ca'Viola Barolo Sottocastello di Novello 2015Nebbiolo from Barolo, Piedmont, Italy
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Giuseppe Cortese Barbaresco 2018Nebbiolo from Barbaresco, Piedmont, Italy
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