Variety
RedNebbiolo
Also known as: Spanna, Chiavennasca
Italy's most demanding grape – pale in colour, immense in tannin and acidity, unmistakable rose, tar and cherry. Barolo and Barbaresco are its cathedrals.
Portrait
Nebbiolo is the leading variety of Piemont and the basis of Barolo and Barbaresco; the name probably derives from "nebbia" (fog), which covers the hills of the Langhe in autumn. The variety is documented since the Middle Ages. Its home is north-western Italy, where it is also cultivated in Gattinara, Ghemme and the Roero.
The vine buds early and ripens very late, often only in mid-October. It needs south-facing sites on calcareous marl and thrives only with difficulty outside Piemont. The wines are pale in colour but rich in tannin and acidity, with rose, tar, cherry and truffle. Barolo and Barbaresco must age for several years before release.
Nebbiolo pairs with braised dishes, game, truffle, risotto and aged cheese and has long ageing potential.
Taste profile
Six axes — acidity, sweetness, body, tannin, aroma intensity and depth — on a 0–5 scale, based on typical style. Real wines vary by region and producer.
Typical aromas — Nebbiolo
These 6 aromas typically define Nebbiolo. Actual taste experience varies by region and style.
Sour cherry
Rose
Tar
Truffle
Liquorice
Dried herbs
Nebbiolo aroma families
These aroma categories are characteristic of Nebbiolo. Other varieties have different focuses.
Fruit aromas are the most common and come directly from the grape, ranging from citrus through stone fruit to black berries.
Floral aromas are especially marked in aromatic varieties like Riesling and Gewürztraminer.
Spicy aromas often emerge from oak aging (vanilla, clove) or with maturity (black pepper).
Tertiary aromas that develop with bottle aging – typical of mature top wines.
Key regions
Nebbiolo is grown in the following regions of our atlas. Click to see wineries.
Wineries with Nebbiolo
71 curated profiles in our atlas grow Nebbiolo.
71 wineries
Gaja
Barbaresco · Barbaresco
Nebbiolo, Barbera, Cabernet Sauvignon
Bartolo Mascarello
Barolo · Barolo
Nebbiolo, Dolcetto, Barbera
Bruno Giacosa
Barbaresco · Neive
Nebbiolo, Barbera, Dolcetto
Giuseppe Mascarello e Figlio
Barolo · Monchiero
Nebbiolo, Barbera, Dolcetto
Giuseppe Rinaldi
Barolo · Barolo
Nebbiolo, Barbera, Dolcetto
Giacomo Conterno
Barolo · Monforte d'Alba
Nebbiolo, Barbera
Roagna
Barbaresco · Barbaresco
Nebbiolo, Barbera
Aldo Conterno
Barolo · Monforte d'Alba
Nebbiolo, Barbera, Chardonnay
Cantina Vietti
Barolo · Castiglione Falletto
Nebbiolo, Barbera, Arneis