Nebbiolo is one of the oldest and most prestigious Italian grape varieties, originating in Piedmont and documented as far back as the 13th century. The name is traditionally associated with the bloom that covers the berries, resembling a fine mist, or with its late ripening, which often coincides with the first autumn mists. The leaf is pentagonal in shape, generally five-lobed, with a slightly downy underside; the bunch is medium or long, often winged and moderately compact, whilst the berries, which are round and small in size, have a blue-greyish skin that is intensely pruinose. A demanding, late-ripening grape variety, it favours favourable exposures and well-ventilated hillsides. Its traditional growing area includes the Langhe and the Roero, where it produces Barolo, Barbaresco and Nebbiolo d’Alba, but it is also widespread in Upper Piedmont, under the names Spanna and Prunent, in Carema, in the Aosta Valley as Picotendro, and in Valtellina, where it is known as Chiavennasca. The wines generally display a bright ruby colour, destined to evolve towards garnet, and aromas of rose, violet, small red berries, spices, liquorice, tobacco and undergrowth. On the palate, it combines acidity, structure and assertive tannins, underpinned by remarkable elegance and length. Its long ageing potential in the bottle is one of its most distinctive characteristics.
