Nebbiolo
About Nebbiolo
Piedmont region of northern Italy, which is its spiritual home. There, it is responsible for highly respected Barolo and neighboring Barbaresco. These wines have the potential to age decades or longer and are considered some of the most sought after in the world.
In the vineyard, the grapes are deep purple, but they yield crimson wines that tend to turn rusty in color with age.
This early-budding grape prefers calcareous marl soils. It also thrives in cooler, drier microclimates. Owing to its thin skin, Nebbiolo is a notoriously fickle grape.
The famous descriptors attributed to Nebbiolo are tar and roses. The grape has a naturally floral component, often evoking, too, violets and other purple flowers. Younger Nebbiolo also has aromas of bright red fruit, like raspberry and cherry. Wines made from Nebbiolo are tannic and bright, with spice and earth in the background.
Nebbiolo in Italy
Native to Italy’s north, Nebbiolo is the sole grape used in Barolo and Barbaresco, where it produces elegant, ageworthy wines from south-facing hillside sites. In other Piedmont regions like Gattinara, Ghemme and Roero, other grapes can be added to the wine, yet Nebbiolo remains the dominant player. Langhe and Nebbiolo d’Alba produce lighter styled Nebbiolo that can be enjoyed in the near term. In Lombardy, it is the main grape in the wines of Valtellina where it is known as Spanna.
Global Production
There are very few plantings of Nebbiolo outside of Italy. A spattering of plantings can be found on the West Coast of the United States, stretching from the Central Coast of California up to Washington.
Synonyms: Chiavennasca, Picotendro, Picoutener, Picotèner, Prunent, Prünent, Spanna
What We're Tasting:
Bouchard Père & Fils 2020 Le Corton Grand Cru (Corton)
What We're Tasting:
ALDI 2021 Peaks & Tides Chardonnay (Sonoma County)
What We're Tasting:
ALDI 2021 Peaks & Tides Pinot Noir (Sonoma County)
What We're Tasting:
J. Lohr 2021 Hilltop Cabernet Sauvignon (Paso Robles)
What We're Tasting:
Rutini 2019 Single Vineyard Gualtallary Cabernet Franc (Uco Valley)
What We're Tasting:
Le Cadeau 2021 Trajet Reserve Pinot Noir (Chehalem Mountains)
What We're Tasting:
Kenwood 2019 Discoveries Cabernet Sauvignon (California)
What We're Tasting:
Donatella Cinelli Colombini 2018 Prime Donne Sangiovese (Brunello di Montalcino)
What We're Tasting:
Castello Bonomi 2016 CruPerdu Grande Annata Extra Brut White (Franciacorta)
What We're Tasting:
Castello Bonomi 2018 CruPerdu Brut Millesimato White (Franciacorta)
What We're Tasting:
Browne Family Vineyards 2022 Bitner Estate Sauvignon Blanc (Columbia Valley (WA))
What We're Tasting:
Lagar de Indra 2022 Albariño Albariño (Rías Baixas)
What We're Tasting:
Harper's Bench 2020 Riverview Vineyard Pinot Noir (Monterey)
What We're Tasting:
Blue Canyon 2022 Estate Sauvignon Blanc (Monterey)
What We're Tasting:
Casa Primicia 2017 Julian Madrid Reserva Tempranillo (Rioja)
What We're Tasting:
Dekreme 2022 Cuvée Brut Sparkling (Monterey County)
What We're Tasting:
Bortolomiol 2022 Ius Naturae Organic Brut Glera (Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore)
What We're Tasting:
Luli 2021 Lemoravo Pinot Noir (Santa Lucia Highlands)
What We're Tasting:
Luli 2021 Monte Linda Pinot Noir (Santa Lucia Highlands)
What We're Tasting:
Laurent-Perrier NV Grand Siècle Brut Itération No. 26 (Champagne)
What We're Tasting:
Masi 2013 Campolongo di Torbe Red (Amarone della Valpolicella Classico)
What We're Tasting:
Shafer 2022 Red Shoulder Ranch Chardonnay (Carneros-Napa Valley)
What We're Tasting:
Cristom 2021 Louise Vineyard Chardonnay (Eola-Amity Hills)
What We're Tasting:
Poggio di Sotto 2018 Sangiovese (Brunello di Montalcino)
Sign Up For Wine Enthusiast Emails For Discounts And More!
Welcome to Wineenthusiast.com! By using our website and/or subscribing to our newsletter, you agree to our use of cookies and the terms of our Privacy Policy