Nebbiolo

Nebbiolo is the most important wine grape variety of Italy's Piedmont region.

Through genetic testing Vouillamoz and Schneider at UC Davis recently found Nebbiolo to be related to other Italian grape varieties; Nebbiolo Rosé, Freisa, Negrera, Rossola, Vespolina and Bubbierasco.

Nebbiolo grapes are used to make wines such as Barolo, and Barbaresco. These deeply coloured wines can be massively tannic in youth with intriguing scents of tar and roses. As they age, the wines take on a characteristic brick-orange hue at the rim of the glass and mature to reveal complex aromas and flavours quite unique and thrilling. Wines from Nebbiolo often take years to become approachable as they require ageing to tame the tannins from the grapes. As part of a global trend begun in the 1990s, younger producers have sought to make their wines more approachable in their youth.

With limited production, the wines of Barolo and Barbaresco can often fetch large sums of money.