
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.
- Bordeaux Red Blends170
- Pinot Noir126
- Nebbiolo96
- Cabernet Sauvignon94
- Sangiovese94
- Other Red Blends70
- Tempranillo37
- Syrah/Shiraz31
- Rhône Blends28
- Malbec24
- Zinfandel17
- Merlot14
- Cabernet Franc9
- Gamay9
- Grenache9
- Mencia7
- Tuscan Blends6
- Aglianico4
- Carmenere4
- Other Red Wine4
- Nero d'Avola2
- Petite Sirah2
- Touriga Nacional2
- Mourvedre1
- Negroamaro1
- Petit Verdot1
- Primitivo1
- Gaglioppo1
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Prunotto Bussia Vigna Colonnello Barolo Riserva 2011Nebbiolo from Barolo, Piedmont, Italy
- WE
- WS
- RP
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Produttori del Barbaresco Barbaresco Asili Riserva 2011Nebbiolo from Barbaresco, Piedmont, Italy
- WS
- JS
- WE
- W&S
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Produttori del Barbaresco Barbaresco Ovello Riserva 2011Nebbiolo from Barbaresco, Piedmont, Italy
- W&S
- WS
- WE
- JS
- RP
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Cavallotto Barolo Bricco Boschis 2011Nebbiolo from Barolo, Piedmont, Italy
- WE
- RP
- WS
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Produttori del Barbaresco Barbaresco Riserva Rabaja 2011Nebbiolo from Barbaresco, Piedmont, Italy
- WE
- W&S
- WS
- RP
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Produttori del Barbaresco Montestefano Barbaresco 2011Nebbiolo from Barbaresco, Piedmont, Italy
- WE
- RP
- W&S
- WS
- JS
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Giovanni Rosso Barolo Serra 2011Nebbiolo from Barolo, Piedmont, Italy
- WE
- WW
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G.D. Vajra Barolo Albe 2011Nebbiolo from Barolo, Piedmont, Italy
- WS
- WE
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Bruno Giacosa Barbaresco Santo Stefano (1.5 Liter Magnum) 2011Nebbiolo from Barbaresco, Piedmont, Italy
- WE
- JS
- WS
- RP
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Bruno Giacosa Barbaresco Santo Stefano 2011Nebbiolo from Barbaresco, Piedmont, Italy
- WE
- JS
- WS
- RP
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Brandini Barolo 2011Nebbiolo from Barolo, Piedmont, Italy
- WE
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Gaja Barbaresco 2011Nebbiolo from Barbaresco, Piedmont, Italy
- JS
- D
- WE
- RP
- WS
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Albino Rocca Barbaresco 2011Nebbiolo from Barbaresco, Piedmont, Italy
- WE
- RP
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Albino Rocca Barbaresco Ronchi 2011Nebbiolo from Barbaresco, Piedmont, Italy
- WE
- JS
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Brovia Rocche di Castiglione Barolo 2011Nebbiolo from Piedmont, Italy
- JS
- WE
- RP
- JD
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Luigi Einaudi Barolo Cannubi 2011Nebbiolo from Barolo, Piedmont, Italy
- JS
- WS
- W&S
- RP
- WE
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Luigi Oddero Barolo Specola 2011Nebbiolo from Barolo, Piedmont, Italy
- JS
- WE
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Michele Chiarlo Barolo Cannubi 2011Nebbiolo from Barolo, Piedmont, Italy
- WS
- V
- RP
- WE
- JS
- W&S
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Massolino Vigna Margheria Barolo 2011Nebbiolo from Barolo, Piedmont, Italy
- WS
- RP
- JS
- WE
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G.D. Vajra Barolo Ravera 2011Nebbiolo from Barolo, Piedmont, Italy
- WS
- WE
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Fontanafredda Serralunga d'Alba Barolo (1.5 Liter Magnum) 2011Nebbiolo from Barolo, Piedmont, Italy
- WS
- JS
- WE
- RP
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Travaglini Gattinara 2011Nebbiolo from Piedmont, Italy
- JS
- WE
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Massolino Barolo 2011Nebbiolo from Roero, Piedmont, Italy
- JS
- WS
- WE
- RP
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G.D. Vajra Bricco Delle Viole Barolo 2011Nebbiolo from Barolo, Piedmont, Italy
- WS
- WE
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Elvio Cogno Vigna Elena Barolo Riserva 2011Nebbiolo from Barolo, Piedmont, Italy
- JS
- RP
- WS
- WE
- W&S
- D