
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.
- Pinot Noir272
- Cabernet Sauvignon262
- Bordeaux Red Blends234
- Sangiovese158
- Syrah/Shiraz152
- Nebbiolo142
- Rhône Blends117
- Other Red Blends109
- Tempranillo42
- Merlot41
- Zinfandel39
- Malbec35
- Tuscan Blends15
- Aglianico10
- Barbera10
- Grenache10
- Other Red Wine8
- Mencia6
- Petite Sirah5
- Cabernet Franc4
- Dolcetto4
- Gamay4
- Mourvedre4
- Touriga Nacional4
- Nero d'Avola3
- Sagrantino3
- Negroamaro2
- Carmenere1
- Corvina1
- Lagrein1
- Pinotage1
- Primitivo1
- Mondeuse1
- Nerello Mascalese1
-
Abbona Pressenda Barolo 2012Nebbiolo from Barolo, Piedmont, Italy
- WS
- WE
-
Bruno Giacosa Barolo Falletto 2012Nebbiolo from Barolo, Piedmont, Italy
- JS
- WS
- RP
-
Sandrone Barolo Le Vigne 2012Nebbiolo from Barolo, Piedmont, Italy
- WS
- JS
- RP
- W&S
-
Sandrone Barolo Cannubi Boschis 2012Nebbiolo from Barolo, Piedmont, Italy
- JS
- RP
- WS
- WE
-
Renato Ratti Rocche dell'Annunziata Barolo 2012Nebbiolo from Barolo, Piedmont, Italy
- WE
- WS
- RP
-
Punset Barbaresco San Cristoforo Campo Quadro 2012Nebbiolo from Barbaresco, Piedmont, Italy
- WS
-
Elvio Cogno Bricco Pernice Barolo 2012Nebbiolo from Piedmont, Italy
- JS
- WE
- RP
- WS
-
Elvio Cogno Ravera Barolo 2012Nebbiolo from Barolo, Piedmont, Italy
- WE
- JS
- W&S
- WS
- RP
-
Prunotto Barolo 2012Nebbiolo from Barolo, Piedmont, Italy
- WS
- JS
- RP
-
Paitin Barbaresco Serra 2012Nebbiolo from Barbaresco, Piedmont, Italy
- JS
- WS
- WE
-
Boroli Barolo 2012Nebbiolo from Barolo, Piedmont, Italy
- WS
-
Fratelli Seghesio Barolo La Villa 2012Nebbiolo from Barolo, Piedmont, Italy
- WS
-
Sottimano Barbaresco Curra 2012Nebbiolo from Barbaresco, Piedmont, Italy
- WS
-
Damilano Barolo Cerequio 2012Nebbiolo from Barolo, Piedmont, Italy
- WS
-
Bruno Giacosa Barolo Falletto (1.5 Liter Magnum) 2012Nebbiolo from Barolo, Piedmont, Italy
- JS
- WS
- RP
-
Paolo Scavino Barolo Carobric 2012Nebbiolo from Barolo, Piedmont, Italy
- JS
- WW
- WS
- WE
-
Giovanni Rosso Barolo Serra 2012Nebbiolo from Barolo, Piedmont, Italy
- WS
-
Renato Ratti Marcenasco Barolo (1.5 Liter Magnum) 2012Nebbiolo from Barolo, Piedmont, Italy
- JS
- WS
- RP
-
Bruno Giacosa Barolo Le Rocche del Falletto Riserva (3 Liter) 2012Nebbiolo from Barolo, Piedmont, Italy
- JS
- WS
- RP
-
Antoniolo Castelle Gattinara 2012Nebbiolo from Piedmont, Italy
- WS
-
Sandrone Barolo Le Vigne (1.5 Liter Magnum) 2012Nebbiolo from Barolo, Piedmont, Italy
- WS
- JS
- RP
- W&S
-
Antoniolo San Francesco Gattinara 2012Nebbiolo from Piedmont, Italy
- WS
- RP
-
Vietti Barolo Brunate 2012Nebbiolo from Barolo, Piedmont, Italy
- JS
- RP
- D
- WS
-
Damilano Barolo Cannubi 2012Nebbiolo from Barolo, Piedmont, Italy
- JS
- WS
- RP
- WE
-
Azelia Barolo Bricco Fiasco 2012Nebbiolo from Barolo, Piedmont, Italy
- JS
- WS
- RP