
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.
Tasting Notes for Nebbiolo
Nebbiolo is a dry red wine with velveteen tannins, mouthwatering acidity and a captivating perfume. Common characteristcs of a well-made Nebbiolo can include roses, violets, licorice, sandalwood, spicebox, 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 Food Pairings for Nebbiolo
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 companions to Nebbiolo.
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.
- Wine Spectator16
- Robert Parker's Wine Advocate15
- Wine Enthusiast2
- Wine & Spirits1
- Collectible15
- Older Vintages10
- Boutique4
-
Bruno Giacosa Barbaresco Rabaja 1998Nebbiolo from Barbaresco, Piedmont, Italy
- RP
- WS
-
Bruno Giacosa Barbaresco Asili 1998Nebbiolo from Barbaresco, Piedmont, Italy
- RP
- WS
-
Domenico Clerico Barolo Ciabot Mentin Ginestra 1998Nebbiolo from Barolo, Piedmont, Italy
- WS
- RP
-
Sandrone Barolo Cannubi Boschis (1.5 Liter Magnum) 1998Nebbiolo from Barolo, Piedmont, Italy
- RP
- WS
- WE
-
Luigi Pira Barolo Marenca 1998Nebbiolo from Barbaresco, Piedmont, Italy
- RP
-
Sandrone Barolo Le Vigne (1.5 Liter Magnum) 1998Nebbiolo from Barolo, Piedmont, Italy
- RP
- WS
-
Gaja Costa Russi 1998Nebbiolo from Piedmont, Italy
- WS
- RP
-
Gaja Sori Tildin 1998Nebbiolo from Piedmont, Italy
- RP
- WS
-
Gaja Barbaresco 1998Nebbiolo from Barbaresco, Piedmont, Italy
- WS
- RP
-
Gaja Conteisa 1998Nebbiolo from Piedmont, Italy
- WS
- RP
-
Aldo Conterno Bussia Soprana Barolo (1.5 Liter Magnum) 1998Nebbiolo from Barolo, Piedmont, Italy
- RP
- WS
-
Gaja Sperss 1998Nebbiolo from Piedmont, Italy
- WS
- RP
-
Paolo Scavino Barolo Carobric (1.5 Liter Magnum) 1998Nebbiolo from Barolo, Piedmont, Italy
- WS
- RP
-
Gaja Sori San Lorenzo 1998Nebbiolo from Piedmont, Italy
- RP
- WS
-
Sandrone Barolo Le Vigne 1998Nebbiolo from Barolo, Piedmont, Italy
- RP
- WS