I am a fan of Italian wines. There are an estimated 350 grape varietals commonly used in Italian wines. The Nebbiolo grape is one of my favorites.
Nebbiolo (Italian), or Nebieul (Piedmontese) is a red wine grape variety predominantly associated with its native Piedmont region, where it makes the Denominazione di Origine Controllata e Garantita (DOCG) wines of Barolo, Barbaresco, Roero, Gattinara, and Ghemme. Nebbiolo is thought to derive its name from the Italian word nebbia which means “fog.” During harvest, which generally takes place late in October, a deep, intense fog sets into the Langhe region where many Nebbiolo vineyards are located. Alternative explanations refer to the fog-like milky veil that forms over the berries as they reach maturity, or that perhaps the name is derived instead from the Italian word nobile, meaning noble. Nebbiolo produces lightly colored red wines which can be highly tannic in youth with 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 other aromas and flavors such as violets, tar, wild herbs, cherries, raspberries, truffles, tobacco, and prunes. Nebbiolo wines can require years of aging to balance the tannins with other characteristics.
Compared to the annual growth cycle of other Piedmontese grape varieties, Nebbiolo is one of the first varieties to bud and last variety to ripen with harvest taking place in mid to late October. In some vintages, producers are able to pick and complete fermentation of their Barbera and Dolcetto plantings before Nebbiolo is even harvested. To aid in ripening, producers will often plant Nebbiolo in the most favored sites on the south and southwestern facing slopes, which give the grape more access to direct sunlight.
Sight
Medium color depth with a garnet hue.
Smell
Moderate to aromatic aromas of spice, anise, and dark fruit.
Taste
Dry, medium-to-full-bodied. Slightly tart (the sides of my mouth watered). Soft tannins with a silky flavorful long mouth-feel.
ABV: 14.5%
How much: $46.99 ( The bottle shop had it on sale for $30.99). It was a gift from my friends Jon and Laura. Great pick!
Region/Appellation: Canale – Roero – Piedmont
The wine was beautiful. It was paired with home-made pizza. I rated the 2005 Matteo Correggia Roche d”Ampsej four glasses.
Sources: Wikipedia
Life is too short to drink crappy wine. Expand your palate and keep trying.
Facebook.com/BillsWineWandering
@BillsWineWander
