Nebbiolo

The great grape of Piedmont, indeed one of the great grape varieties of the World, although so suited to the particular conditions in Piedmont, and the Langhe hills in particular, and so unsuited to practically anywhere else on Earth, that it is rarely seen outside Northern Italy. Late ripening, indeed ripening only when October fog (‘nebbia’) envelops the vineyards. Pale coloured wines, prodigious tannins and flavours of tar, violets and roses; a thought provoking and delicious combination of raw power and supreme delicacy. Despite the tannin and a very different flavour profile Nebbiolo is often likened to Burgundy Pinot Noir, such is the appeal to the senses. The greatest heights are reached in Barolo and Barbaresco, wines that age magnificently, although less exalted but very drinkable examples are to found in wider Piedmont and, to a lesser extent, in Lombardy.