
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.
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Ceretto Barbaresco 2016Nebbiolo from Barbaresco, Piedmont, Italy
- WS
- JS
- RP
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Ceretto Barolo 2015Nebbiolo from Barolo, Piedmont, Italy
- RP
- WE
- WS
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Marchesi di Barolo Tradizione Barbaresco 2015Nebbiolo from Barbaresco, Piedmont, Italy
- RP
- WE
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Fontanafredda Serralunga d'Alba Barolo 2015Nebbiolo from Barolo, Piedmont, Italy
- WE
- JS
- RP
- WW
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Ceretto Brunate Barolo 2015Nebbiolo from Barolo, Piedmont, Italy
- RP
- JS
- WE
- WS
- D
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Paolo Scavino Langhe Nebbiolo 2018Nebbiolo from Piedmont, Italy
- RP
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Ceretto Prapo Barolo 2015Nebbiolo from Barolo, Piedmont, Italy
- RP
- JS
- WE
- WS
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Sottimano Barbaresco Curra 2014Nebbiolo from Barbaresco, Piedmont, Italy
- RP
- W&S
- JS
- WS
- WE
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Damilano Barolo Lecinquevigne 2015Nebbiolo from Barolo, Piedmont, Italy
- JS
- RP
- W&S
- WS
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Vietti Barolo Ravera 2015Nebbiolo from Barolo, Piedmont, Italy
- RP
- W&S
- JS
- WS
- WE
- D
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Damilano Barolo Lecinquevigne (375ML half-bottle) 2015Nebbiolo from Barolo, Piedmont, Italy
- JS
- RP
- WE
- D
- W&S
- WS
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Vietti Barolo Lazzarito 2015Nebbiolo from Barolo, Piedmont, Italy
- JS
- RP
- W&S
- WS
- D
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Prunotto Barolo 2015Nebbiolo from Barolo, Piedmont, Italy
- RP
- JS
- WE
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Paolo Scavino Barolo Monvigliero 2016Nebbiolo from Barolo, Piedmont, Italy
- WE
- V
- RP
- JS
- WS
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La Spinetta Barbaresco Gallina 2016Nebbiolo from Barbaresco, Piedmont, Italy
- RP
- WS
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Pio Cesare Barbaresco 2015Nebbiolo from Barbaresco, Piedmont, Italy
- JS
- RP
- WE
- WS
- D
- JD
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Damilano 1752 Barolo Cannubi Riserva 2009Nebbiolo from Barolo, Piedmont, Italy
- JS
- WS
- RP
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Fratelli Seghesio Barolo 2016Nebbiolo from Barolo, Piedmont, Italy
- V
- RP
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Paolo Scavino Barolo Prapo 2016Nebbiolo from Barolo, Piedmont, Italy
- RP
- JS
- WE
- WS
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Albino Rocca Barbaresco Ronchi 2017Nebbiolo from Barbaresco, Piedmont, Italy
- WE
- WS
- RP
- JS
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Marchesi di Gresy Barbaresco Martinenga 2017Nebbiolo from Barbaresco, Piedmont, Italy
- RP
- WE
- WS
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Sottimano Barbaresco Pajore 2017Nebbiolo from Barbaresco, Piedmont, Italy
- WE
- RP
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Vietti Barolo Lazzarito 2016Nebbiolo from Serralunga d'Alba, Piedmont, Italy
- V
- RP
- WS
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Pecchenino Bussia Barolo 2015Nebbiolo from Barolo, Piedmont, Italy
- RP
- JS
- WS
- V
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La Spinetta Barbaresco Starderi 2013Nebbiolo from Barbaresco, Piedmont, Italy
- RP
- JS
- WS