Nebbiolo - November 2013

Nebbiolo - Northern Italy's favorite grape!

Oh, how I adore the Piedmont region of Italy.  Wonder if it has anything to do with my adoring the Piedmont region of Virginia?  Both areas make some pretty yummy wine!

Every time I see the word "Nebbiolo,"  I hear it to the tune of "Mona Lisa" in my head.  Weird, I know, but now you will have the same problem. :-)  I like sharing stuff like that almost as much as I like sharing wine!  You don't have to thank me (I will clear it out of your head in a minute).

Nebbiolo is THE grape in the Piedmont region.  It is responsible for the most famous wines of the area and those would be the DOCGs Barbaresco (the queen) and Barolo (the king).  Barolo is so much a king that it is historically called "the wine of kings and the king of wine."  These wines are BIG and powerful.  This tasting made some of the wine club very, very happy.  These wines can age and do so very nicely.

Barbaresco is named for the region.  It is a smoother and less tannic version of the grape than the Borolo.  Tar and roses are a very common comment about the aromas of this wine when it is young.  It can be tough and short on fruit when young and really does well with a few years in the bottle.  That aging will bring out the chocolate, cherry, and tobacco that the grape and the wine are known for.  We had a 2008.  It cost $17.99 at Total Wine

Now, for the king.  Barolo is named for one of the towns where the wine is made.  This is a BIG red, rich and powerful and dry.  This can be laid down in your wine cellar (aka coat closet) and left for many, many years.  This is important because over 90% of the wine on the market today is meant to be consumed when bottled!  Most wine does NOT age well in the bottle any more.  The high acidity and tannins in the Barolo allow it to age well in the bottle.  The more age on it, the smoother it will become and the more you will notice the tobacco, truffle & chocolate scents.

This bottle is a 2009.  WS rated it 92 points.  It cost $34.99 at Total Wine.

This is a 2007.  Rated 91 points by WS.  Again, $34.99.

We could not leave the Langhe foothills of Piedmont without tasting the more price conscious relative of Barolo & Barbaresco: Nebbiolo d'Alba (Nebbiolo grape from d'Alba).  This is from the same growing region, but not from the premier acreage.  This is not an "age in bottle" wine because it is not as big and bold as its royal parents.  This is a 2011 and it cost $15.99 at Total Wine.

We paired all of this yumminess with fontina cheese, Osso Buco, & dark chocolate.

If you like your wine big and want a change from the Cab Sauv, Shiraz that you feel you are always drinking, take a stroll over to Italy and check out some of these wines.

As for that song I got stuck in your head, THIS should fix that nicely.  Again, no need to thank me!!

Cheers, 

Kitti