Wine education #2 Nebbiolo
- Place of Origin: Piemonte or Valtellina
- Origin of Grape Name: "Nebbiolo" is derived from the Italian nebbia, or "fog". ( Two theories - white coating covering the grape vs foggy weather in piedmonte during harvest) Reference to the Nibiol grape first appeared in print in 1266. Other synonyms appeared throughout the 14th century.
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Major Countries of Production:
- Italy: 5,531 ha (2010, Il Corriere Vinicolo)
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Synonyms:
- Italy: Spanna (Piemonte), Chiavennasca (Valtellina), Picotendro / Picoutener (Valle d'Aosta, Carema), Prunet
- Viticultural Characteristics: High Vigor, Thin-Skinned, Early-Budding, EXTREMELY Late Ripening (at least 2 weeks after Barbera and 4 weeks after Dolcetto), Susceptible to Oidium, Resistance to Downy Mildew and Botrytis/Grey Rot
Associated Classic Soil Types:
- Tortonian (calcareous marl)
- Helvetian (sandstone)
- Visual: Ruby/Garnet Color, Significant Garnet/Orange Rim Variation, Moderate Concentration
- Aromas/Flavors: High Intensity
- Fruit: Tart Red Fruit (Sour Cherry, Red Plum), Blackberry, Mulberry, Dried Plum/Prune and Dried Cherry
- Significant Volatile Acidity, Oxidation
- Floral: Heady Floral Character, Roses, Violets
- Herbal: Tea Leaf, Tobacco, Bitter Root, Tree Bark
- Spice: Licorice, Anise, Resin, Slight Clove/Cinnamon Spice
- Other: Tar, Leather
- Earth: High Minerality, Truffle, Mushroom, Dust, Organic Earth
- Oak: Neutral Large Casks (Slavonian Oak and Chestnut Botti are considered traditional casks for Barolo)
- Structure: Dry, Medium to Full Body, High Tannin, Elevated to High Acidity, Elevated to High Alcohol
- ** Note jammy or fruity, but earthy, spicy and savory, that’s why it’s easily misunderstood**
Major region –
Barolo (38 month before release, including 18 months in oak) Riserva (62 months before release, including 18 month in oak)
Barbaresco (26 months, 9 in oak) Riserva ( 50 months, 9 in oak)
Style – Traditional and modern, Barolo/Barbaresco takes too long to age, that’s why the more modern style came about
Traditional - Giacomo Conterno, Bartolo Mascarello, Giuseppe Rinaldi
Modern – (barrique, longer maceration) Paolo Scavino, Luciano Sandrone, Elio Altare
US producers for Nebbiolo - Palmina, Bonny Doon
** Often compared to Burgundy** I consider it Burgundy on steroids!
Sample Questions -
Introductory question – Which of the following is a DOCG for Nebbiolo Grape?
Chianti Classico
Barbaresco
Brunello di Montalcino
Amarone della Valpolicella
Certified Level Question – Which of the following is a synonym for Nebbiolo? Spanna
Nasco
Nebbiera
Nebbiolo Rose
Advanced level Question – What are the 5 major commune of Barolo?
Master Level Question – Name the 3 clones of Nebbiolo?
Answers:
Barbaresco
Spanna
Barolo, La Morra, Castiglione Falletto, Serralunga d’Alba and Montforte d’Alba
Nebbiolo Lampia, Nebbiolo Michet, Nebbiolo Bolla.
Watch the whole Live Video here -
https://www.facebook.com/angie.an1/videos/10161330353480355/