Nebbiolo is the grape behind some of Italy’s most serious reds, best known in Piedmont. It’s naturally high in tannin with bright acidity, so the best bottles reward a bit of patience.
Expect perfume as much as power: rose, violet and herbs, with darker fruit and more savoury notes as the wine opens up. If you’re buying for the cellar, this is one of the classic grapes for it.
Most people meet Nebbiolo through Piedmont, where it produces structured reds with real staying power. Styles vary by site and winemaking, but the signature is consistent: firm tannin, lifted aroma, and a long, dry finish.
Younger Nebbiolo can feel tightly wound. A little air helps, and it often becomes more expressive as it warms in the glass. With age, the fruit tends to move into the background and the savoury side comes forward.
There’s also an alpine expression in northern Italy, particularly in the Valtellina Valley in Lombardy, where Nebbiolo is often labelled as Chiavennasca. The shape tends to be fresher and more lifted, with a slightly different feel to the tannin.
If you’re browsing more widely, see our full range of Italian wines.
