Nebbiolo is a varietal grown mainly in Italy. It is the base of exceptional wines such as Barolo and Barbaresco, both produced exclusively with the Nebbiolo grape.
It is a varietal that gives rise to wines with a not very intense color and a medium body, but with a high degree of tannins that make them ideal for aging. In fact, a Nebbiolo-based wine, if drunk young, can be quite "hard", as the astringency of the tannins prevails over the other sensations. The aromas are reminiscent of pepper, earth and unripe fruit. With the passage of time the wine softens, the tannins settle at the bottom and the bouquet is enriched with new aromas giving life to an exceptional bouquet.
A good Barolo or Barbaresco can easily age 20 years and still express its full gustatory and olfactory potential to the fullest.
The aromatic bouquet of the wines obtained with Nebbiolo is characterized by hints of flowers, such as rose and violet. To these are added hints of berries (such as cherry, black currant and raspberry), slight balsamic notes (pine resin), aromatic herbs and hints of undergrowth that increase the bouquet's complexity. In younger wines the aromas of unripe berries are very detectable, but with the aging process they develop towards aromas of jam, and the bouquet is enriched with new aromas such as fig, leather and spices. If the wine is aged in the barrel it is enriched with tertiary aromas, such as smoked and licorice.
Try the TasterPlace Red Wine Aromas collection to train yourself to recognize the most characteristic scents of Nebbiolo. Click here