Barbaresco

The Barbaresco zone lies in the Langhe northeast of Alba, on the right bank of the Tanaro. It comprises the communes of Barbaresco, Neive and Treiso and part of Alba (San Rocco Seno d'Elvio). The hills are smaller and the area more compact than Barolo's. Well-known single vineyards include Asili, Rabajà, Pajé and Montefico in Barbaresco and Santo Stefano in Neive; the area is part of the Langhe-Roero and Monferrato wine landscape (UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2014).

The soils consist of Tortonian marls with a higher limestone content than in Barolo, which lends the wines finesse. The climate is continental, the Tanaro has a balancing effect, and the grapes usually ripen somewhat earlier than in Barolo; autumn fog is typical here too.

Barbaresco is made exclusively from Nebbiolo, and the wines are regarded as more approachable and elegant than Barolo. The regulations require at least 26 months of ageing. Defining producers include Gaja, the Produttori del Barbaresco and Bruno Giacosa; Angelo Gaja made the name internationally known in the 1960s.