Born in the Piedmont region of northern Italy, Nebbiolo is a red grape that’s grown to create both single variety and blended wines. Piedmont is rather famous for its Barolo and Barbaresco wines, which can cost up to hundreds of dollars per bottle, but very few realize that the grapevine, Nebbiolo, is used to make them.
There are also differences among Nebbiolo grapes, depending on the region. Similar to Pinot Noir, Nebbiolo is a fussy variety that flowers early and ripens late. The grapevine needs a lot of sun and warmth.
One of the most interesting aspects of Nebbiolo red wine is its aroma as it actually smells like roses. This makes the wine a perfect candidate for celebrating special occasions! On top of that, the wine has a good amount of acidity, tannins and earthy flavours. All you need for a rich meal such is a rib roast or a rack of lamb. To be honest, it’s hard to find a dish that won’t pair with Nebbiolo.
Note that the taste will vary considerably depending on where it’s grown, as it’s one of the most “terroir-expressive” grapes out there. It picks up more of the climate and earth and soil character than most other grapevines.
Barolo and Barbaresco may be the wine of kings, according to the price tag, it sure is, but Nebbiolo is a fantastic wine for your after work wine, with the wine coming at around $20 per bottle.
Looking to try this wine and find out why it’s loved by the Italians so much? You can buy Nebbiolo at the ZYN liquor store in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, or shop online at ZYN.ca!