I recently had an opportunity to attend a Langhe Wine School presentation at 55 Seventy, led by Sandro Minella and Steven McDonald, MS. It was another lesson why Barolo and Barbaresco are considered so important in Italian wine. The presentation took us on a journey through these legendary wine regions’ rich history and terroir and was hosted by the Consorzio Tutela Barolo Barbaresco Alba Langhe e Dogliani.
The Nebbiolo grape is responsible for two of Italy’s most prestigious wines: Barolo and Barbaresco. The story of Langhe Nebbiolo is one of tradition, terroir, and time. For centuries, winemakers have cultivated this grape, making complex and well-aged wine. The name Nebbiolo is thought to derive from “nebbia,” the Italian word for fog, which is exactly what happens when the autumn mists blanket the vineyards during harvest.
In taking a deep dive into the natural factors that make these wines so special, it was compelling to see how much the unique soils of Piedmont’s Tertiary Basin, with its diverse sedimentary formations, combined with when the grapes are harvested annually, define the character of these grapes. The varying compositions of sand, silt, and clay in the Sant’Agata Marls and Lequio Formation create a complex terroir that directly influences the wines’ profiles.
The region’s geography creates various microclimates based on elevation and exposure that affect grape ripening. Over the years, harvest timing has changed due to natural and human conditions. This dichotomy has resulted in the formation of distinct Menzioni Geografiche Aggiuntive (MGAs) within both Barolo and Barbaresco.
Of course, no wine education is complete without a tasting, and we had a chance to taste 30 different wines from the Nebbiolo grape. I’ll give you a list, but since it was so extensive, I’ll take you through it at a high level.
Barbaresco
Overall, Barbaresco is more approachable when it’s young as compared to Barolo. I tasted notes of red fruit, roses, leather, spice, and licorice with softer tannins. The calcareous marl soils give it a higher acidity. There is a minimum aging requirement of 26 months, with at least 9 in oak. Barbaresco’s warmer microclimate and sandier soils result in earlier ripening and softer wines.
Barolo
Known as the “King of Wines” for its power and longevity, it is more robust and tannic with longer aging potential. I got notes of tar, roses, herbs, leather, tobacco, and red fruit. There is a minimum aging requirement of 38 months, with at least 18 in oak. Barolo’s varied soils, including limestone and clay, contribute to its more structured character.
It was a masterclass from the Langhe Wine School in understanding how different MGAs express themselves in the glass. To dive in deeper, you can check out the Consorzio Tutela Barolo Barbaresco Alba Langhe e Dogliani website.
As I mentioned before, I’m not going to give tasting notes, but I want you to see the range of what I tasted:
Langhe DOC Nebbiolo
2022 Marchesi di Barolo Bric Amel
2021 Vietti Perbacco
2020 Poderi Moretti (correct)
Barbaresco DOCG:
2022 Cascina Alberta Giacone
2021 Adriano Marco e Vittorio Basarin
2021 Albino Rocca S.S.A. Ronchi
2020 Masimo Rattalino Barbaresco Meruzzano “Quarantatré43”
2020 Abrigo Orlando Di Abrigo Giovani Montersino
2018 Briccogrilli Serragrilli Riserva
2017 Bera Rabajà Riserva
2016 Vacca-Cascina Principe L’Angelo Riserva
Barolo DOCG
2021 Abrigo Fratelli Ravera
2021 Alberto Ballarin
2021 Azelia San Rocco
2021 Gianni Gagliardo Lazzarito Vigna Preve
2020 Bruna Grimaldi Camilla
2020 Achille Viglione S.A.S. Durè
2020 Aurelio Settimo S.S.A. Rocche DellÀnnunziata
2020 Demenico Clerico Del Comune Di Monforte D’Alba
2020 Diego Rivetti Del Comune Di Serralunga D’Alba
2020 Bricco Maiolica Del Comune Di Diano D’Alba
2019 Agricola Marrona Bussia
2019 Anna Maria Abbona Bricco San Pietro
2019 Arnaldo Rivera & C.S.S. Lazzarito
2017 Ettore Germano Lazzarito Riserva
2016 Bava Winery Scarrone
2016 Bersano Badaruba Riserva
2015 Batasiolo S.P.A. Briccolina
2011 Anselma Del Comune Di Monforte D’Alba
After being immersed in the world of Barolo and Barbaresco, I’m reminded why these wines hold such a special place in Italian viticulture and for wine lovers. The Langhe Wine School offered a comprehensive look at the history, terroir, and winemaking practices that make these Nebbiolo-based wines unique. From the varied soils of the Piedmont’s Tertiary Basin to the impact of microclimates and harvest timing, every factor contributes to the distinct profiles of these wines. The extensive tasting lineup, featuring 30 different expressions of Nebbiolo, demonstrated how these elements translate into the glass.
