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Nebbiolo

Nebbiolo is a premium Italian red wine grape native to the Piedmont region, known for producing highly complex, full-bodied wines with a pale color, striking acidity, and firm tannins. It is the foundation for prestigious, age-worthy wines like Barolo and Barbaresco.

The name Nebbiolo derives from nebbia, the Italian word for fog. This is a nod to the thick, rolling autumn fog that blankets the vineyards of Piedmont, Italy (where the grape is most famous) right around harvest time.

Total worldwide plantings total: 19,700 acres

Key Characteristics

Flavor & Aroma Profile: Distinctive for its aromas of roses, violets, tar, and wild herbs, complemented by flavors of cherry, raspberry, truffle, and leather.

Structure: Despite looking pale and delicate in the glass, it possesses very high acidity and bold, chalky tannins, giving it an exceptional capacity to age for decades.

Where It’s Grown

Piedmont, Italy: The birthplace and spiritual home of Nebbiolo. It shines in the renowned DOCG regions of Barolo, Barbaresco, Roero, Gattinara, and Ghemme.

Lombardy, Italy: Grown in the alpine Valtellina region where it is locally referred to as Chiavennasca.

International Plantings: While it is notoriously finicky to cultivate, winemakers in regions like California, Washington, Australia, and Mexico's Baja California have had success producing expressive variations.

Food Pairings

Because of its high tannins and acidity, Nebbiolo acts as a great "food wine". It pairs excellently with rich, fatty foods that balance its astringency, such as truffle-infused dishes, roasted meats, game, and hard, aged cheeses.

Cellar 503 selections