Nebbiolo grape variety

Nebbiolo is one of Italy's great noble grape varieties. It is mainly cultivated in Piedmont. The wines are medium to full-bodied, with extremely strong tannins, usually very rough when young, and high acidity. Nebbiolo wines typically show aromas of red fruits such as plum, cherry and red berries, accompanied by more edgy tones such as tobacco and leather. When mature, floral notes of roses and/or violets and spices are also added. The grape is traditionally matured in large wooden barrels, with modern variants also available in smaller containers such as barriques. Either way: Nebbiolo needs more time than almost any other grape variety to become accessible and show its full potential. However, it is then an excellent accompaniment to strong meat and game dishes. Nebbiolo is the important grape variety for one of the most noble, famous and storable wines in Italy: Barolo.

Order Nebbiolo wines online

Winery Fontanafredda Langhe Nebbiolo 2024

Piemont, Italy

17.50 €

0.75 l, 23.33 €/l
in stock

Winery Fontanafredda Serralunga D'Alba Barolo 2019

Piemont, Italy

39.95 €

0.75 l, 53.27 €/l
in stock

93 Parker

93 Falstaff

Winery Prunotto Barolo 2020

Piemont, Italy

45.90 €

0.75 l, 61.20 €/l
only 6 available

95+ Parker

Michele Chiarlo Barolo Cerequio 2019

Piemont, Italy

95.00 €

0.75 l, 126.67 €/l
in stock

Winery Fontanafredda Lazzarito la Delizia Barolo 2021

Piemont, Italy

109.00 €

0.75 l, 145.33 €/l
in stock

Frequently asked questions (FAQ) about Nebbiolo wine

What characterises the Nebbiolo grape variety?

Nebbiolo is a noble grape variety from Piedmont and is known for its strong tannins, high acidity and complex flavours. Typical flavours include red fruit, tobacco, leather and, when ripe, roses, violets and spices. The wines can be stored and only develop their full potential after a long period of ageing. Nebbiolo forms the basis for some of Italy's most famous wines, such as Barolo.

What is Nebbiolo?

Nebbiolo is a traditional red wine grape variety from Italy that is considered one of the finest grapes in the world. It is known for its complex flavours, distinctive structure and high ageing potential.

Where does Nebbiolo come from?

The home of Nebbiolo is Piedmont in northern Italy. This is where world-famous wines such as Barolo and Barbaresco are produced, which are almost exclusively vinified from Nebbiolo grapes.

What does a Nebbiolo taste like?

Nebbiolo wines are characterised by an intense spectrum of aromas
- Scents of roses, violets and dried herbs
- Fruity notes of cherries, plums and berries
- With maturity: leather, tobacco and truffles
On the palate, Nebbiolo is powerful, tannin-rich and elegant - with a clear acidity that makes it particularly long-lasting.

Which wine regions are known for Nebbiolo?

- Piedmont (Italy): Barolo, Barbaresco, Roero, Langhe
- Lombardy (Italy): Valtellina Superiore
- Overseas: Smaller cultivation areas in California, Australia and Argentina

Which foods go well with Nebbiolo?

Nebbiolo harmonises particularly well with strong, hearty dishes
- Braised dishes such as ossobuco or roast beef
- Game dishes (venison, deer, wild boar)
- Matured cheese, e.g. Parmesan or Pecorino - Truffle dishes from Piedmont

How should you store a Nebbiolo?

Nebbiolo is one of the most storable wines of all. It is best stored
- dark and at a constant temperature (10-14 °C)
- lying flat so that the cork does not dry out
- in a wine box or in the wine fridge

How long can you keep an opened Nebbiolo?

An opened Nebbiolo will keep for about 3-5 days if stored properly (sealed, cool, dark). In a vacuum pump or special wine storage unit, it can even remain drinkable for a little longer.

What distinguishes Nebbiolo from other red wine varieties?

Nebbiolo is unique due to
- its high tannin and acidity structure
- its light colour compared to its intensity
- its exceptional ageing potential (often decades)
- the combination of flavour and power

What is the average price of a bottle of Nebbiolo?

- Entry-level wines (Langhe, Roero): from approx. 12-20 €
- Barbaresco: 30-60 €
- Barolo: from €40, top wines can cost several hundred euros

Should a Nebbiolo be decanted?

Yes, young Nebbiolo wines in particular benefit from decanting
- Young (up to 8 years): aerate for at least 1-2 hours
- Mature (10+ years): decant carefully to separate the sediment, but do not leave open for too long

Discover more grape varieties for red wines.

Zinfandel

The Zinfandel grape variety is mainly grown in California and produces powerful, extremely powerful and dense red wines, usually with a high alcohol content. The flavour is characterised by aromas of ripe, dark berries and fruits such as blackberry, cherry and plum as well as spicy notes of cinnamon, cloves, chocolate and pepper.

Sangiovese

Sangiovese is one of Italy's best-known red grape varieties and is mainly grown in Tuscany. The wines are known for their not too angular tannins, their strong acidity and their fruity, spicy flavour. Sangiovese wines typically show notes of cherries, red berries, leather and spices.

Malbec

Malbec is a red grape variety that originally comes from France and is now mainly cultivated in Argentina. The wines are deep red in colour and full-bodied, with medium to high tannin and acidity. Malbec wines typically show flavours of dark fruits such as plum and blackberry, complemented by spicy and chocolate notes.

Merlot

Merlot is a red grape that is one of the three major Bordeaux varieties. It is cultivated worldwide, but is particularly widespread in France and California. The wines are medium to full-bodied, with rather soft tannins and moderate acidity. Merlot wines typically show aromas of red and black fruits such as cherry, plum and blackcurrant, complemented by notes of vanilla, chocolate and spices. The grape is often used in cuvees such as Bordeaux wine.

Frühburgunder

Frühburgunder, also known as Pinot Madeleine, is a red grape variety that is closely related to Pinot Noir. It is also cultivated in France, but mainly in Germany. The grape ripens - nomen est omen - earlier than Pinot Noir and produces somewhat richer wines with velvety tannins and good acidity.

Aglianico

Aglianico is one of the oldest grape varieties from southern Italy. The first written evidence of its cultivation dates back to the 16th century. It produces high-quality wines with a deep ruby to garnet red colour and a rich, multi-layered bouquet.

Verdicchio

Verdicchio is a very old white grape variety from Italy, which is mainly cultivated in central Italy. The grapes produce dry to semi-dry white wines with a light yellow colour and a fresh, fruity taste. The flavours are reminiscent of green apples, pears, citrus fruits and hay meadows.

Silvaner

Silvaner is a white grape variety that originated in Austria, but is now most widespread in Germany, where it plays an important role alongside Riesling. Other noteworthy stocks can still be found in Alsace in France. The wines are known for their freshness, minerality and sometimes strong, earthy character.

Sauvignon Blanc

Sauvignon Blanc is one of the best-known white grape varieties in France. It actually originated in the Loire - but is now cultivated worldwide as the second most important noble variety after Chardonnay. New Zealand in particular has become the second home of Sauvignon Blanc.

Riesling

Riesling is one of the best-known white grape varieties and is cultivated all over the world - first and foremost in Germany, of course. It is more flexible and versatile than almost any other grape.

Grüner Veltliner

Grüner Veltliner is a white grape variety grown mainly in Austria and is the country's best-known grape. The wines are light to medium-bodied, with moderate acidity and a characteristic pepper aroma that is often compared to white peppercorns or radishes.

Airén

The Spanish grape variety Airén is one of the most widely cultivated white grapes in the world. It is particularly adaptable and resistant to drought, robust against most vine diseases and is considered to be high-yielding even on poor soils.

Here you can find information on other grape varieties.

Nebbiolo grape variety

Order Nebbiolo wines online

Frequently asked questions (FAQ) about Nebbiolo wine

Discover more grape varieties for red wines.

Zinfandel

Sangiovese

Malbec

Merlot

Frühburgunder

Aglianico

Discover more grape varieties for white wines.

Verdicchio

Silvaner

Sauvignon Blanc

Riesling

Grüner Veltliner

Airén