Winemaker Notes
Nascetta is a rare, semi-aromatic white grape and the only native white variety of the Langhe, traditionally grown in the hills of Novello, one of the historic Barolo communes. Vinified in stainless steel and aged on the lees for eight months, it offers an expressive bouquet of white flowers, citrus, and delicate honeyed notes. Fresh and vibrant on the palate, it reveals flavors of green apple, pear, and a refined mineral touch, supported by bright acidity and a balanced structure.
Clean, elegant, and versatile, it is an ideal match for seafood, pasta with pesto and light cuisine.
Professional Ratings
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Wilfred Wong of Wine.com
The 2022 Arnald Rivera LANGHE Nascetta shows a pale to medium straw color; rustic and savory spices are lifted by hints of fresh-squeezed lime on the nose; medium-bodied, it is jazzy and expressive on the palate, with bright citrus and savory spice flavors carrying through to a full and lasting finish—best enjoyed with a classic Piemontese dish like vitello tonnato, where the wine’s citrusy lift and savory edge beautifully complement the delicate veal and tuna sauce. (Tasted: April 14, 2026, San Francisco, CA)
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James Suckling
Super-zesty attack with aromas of orange leaves and white pepper. Light- to medium-bodied with very good weight on the mid-palate and crisp, zesty acidity. Salty and slightly chalky finish typical of the variety.
As yet a minor but highly prized white grape variety native to Piedmont, Nascetta promises a lush and aromatic white wine of high quality. Winemaking documents of the area mention it in the Novello village of Barolo as early as the second half of the 19th century. Somm Secret—Perhaps its rarity is only due to the fact that it competes with Nebbiolo for optimal Barolo vineyard space. But it has proven to do well just outside the Barolo area, namely in the village of Ciliegie where Riesling also has success.
Set upon a backdrop of the visually stunning Alps, the enchanting and rolling hills of Piedmont are the source of some of the country’s longest-lived and most sought-after red wines. Vineyards cover a great majority of the land area—especially in Barolo—with the most prized sites at the top hilltops or on south-facing slopes where sunlight exposure is maximized. Piedmont has a continental climate with hot, humid summers leading to cold winters and precipitation year-round. The reliable autumnal fog provides a cooling effect, especially beneficial for Nebbiolo, Piedmont’s most prestigious variety.
In fact, Nebbiolo is named exactly for the arrival of this pre-harvest fog (called “nebbia” in Italian), which prolongs cluster hang time and allows full phenolic balance and ripeness. Harvest of Nebbiolo is last among Piedmont's wine varieties, occurring sometime in October. This grape is responsible for the exalted Piedmont wines of Barbaresco and Barolo, known for their ageability, firm tannins and hallmark aromas of tar and roses. Nebbiolo wines, despite their pale hue, pack a pleasing punch of flavor and structure; the best examples can require about a decade’s wait before they become approachable. Barbaresco tends to be more elegant in style while Barolo is more powerful. Across the Tanaro River, the Roero region, and farther north, the regions of Gattinara and Ghemme, also produce excellent quality Nebbiolo.
Easy-going Barbera is the most planted grape in Piedmont, beloved for its trademark high acidity, low tannin and juicy red fruit. Dolcetto, Piedmont’s other important red grape, is usually ready within a couple of years of release.
White wines, while less ubiquitous here, should not be missed. Key Piedmont wine varieties include Arneis, Cortese, Timorasso, Erbaluce and the sweet, charming Muscat, responsible for the brilliantly recognizable, Moscato d'Asti.