Arneis is a white grape variety deeply rooted in the Roero, a hilly region of Piedmont situated on the left bank of the Tanaro, and more generally in the Langhe. It is considered to be of local origin, although the etymology of its name remains a matter of debate; documents dating from the late 15th to the early 16th century already attest to its presence in the Roero. In the Piedmontese dialect, ‘arneis’ refers to a lively and somewhat mischievous person, a description that evokes the variety’s distinctive character. The leaf is medium-sized, wedge-shaped or pentagonal, generally three- or five-lobed; the bunch, medium or small to medium in size, is conical or pyramidal in shape and compact in structure. The berries are small to medium in size, greenish-yellow in colour and covered in a generous layer of bloom. Today, Arneis is grown mainly in the Roero, the Langhe and the Asti hills, where it is used to produce still wines, sparkling wines and, occasionally, late-harvest wines. The wine has a straw-yellow colour, often enlivened by greenish highlights, and delicate aromas of white flowers, apple, pear, peach, apricot and almond, with possible herbaceous and mineral undertones. On the palate, it is dry, elegant, smooth and well-structured, underpinned by a balanced freshness and a characteristic, slightly bitter finish. It generally expresses its fragrance best in its early years, whilst versions aged on the lees or in wood can acquire greater complexity and longevity. In the past, it was also used to soften Nebbiolo.
