Nebbiolo

As the grape variety responsible for some of Italy’s finest red wines, Nebbiolo is surprisingly absent beyond the region of Piemonte in northwest Italy. It is literally translated as ‘the misty one’ as when ripening, it is shrouded in the autumn mists on the exposed hillsides of the Langhe.

The towns of Barolo and Barbaresco, southeast of Turin, give their names to the most famous and highly prized rendition of Nebbiolo, although Alba, Gattinara and Spanna represent reliable, early drinking versions.

Nebbiolo wines can be tannic and long-lived, developing evocative characteristics of tar, tobacco, violets, roses, truffle, leather and mineral.

Traditional handling of Nebbiolo involves extended ageing in large cask. Modern thinking suggests a short period in oak barrique will emphasise the fruit and oak balance to better effect.

 Italian immigrants have established Nebbiolo vineyards as far a field as Argentina, Mexico and Australia with mixed success.