Among the finest and most difficult black-berry grapes of Italy, Piemontese Nebbiolo is the indigenous variety par excellence. Now spread throughout the region, it is at the same time definitely the oldest in Piedmont. There have been several suggestions as to how it got its name: according to some it derives from "fog", because its grapes are usually harvested in October, during the period of the morning mists, while according to others this variety is so named because its grapes seem to be constantly "clouded", as covered with abundant bloom. Finally, the oldest assumption is that it derives its name from the word "noble", because of its great generosity.
It is in fact still also known as "the queen of the black grapes." It is a very demanding grape variety in terms of processing and fertilisation that prefers lime-rich soils, mostly in hilly areas and well-exposed to the sun at an altitude between 200 and 450 m above sea level, protected from frost and cold in spring. These grapes give birth to strong wines, which often yield their best after ageing. Depending on the area of cultivation, Nebbiolo is used to produce a number of great red wines that are the pride of this region’s population.
NEBBIOLO GRAPE
Berry colour: black.Productivity: good, more or less constant, depending on the variety.
Leaf: medium-sized, three-lobed and sometimes lobed.
Bunch: medium-sized, elongated, with round berries, purplish, very pruinose (the bloom is a waxy substance responsible for the visible white film on the grape skin).
Ripening: mid October
Wines: Barbaresco Docg, Barolo Docg, Nebbiolo d’Alba Doc, Alba Doc, Albugnano Doc, Terre Alfieri Nebbiolo Doc, Langhe Nebbiolo Doc, Roero Docg.
