New Langhe Nebbiolo from top producer

If you’re a fan of Italian wine then the words northern Italy will either make you reach for your wallet or run for cover. These wines don’t come cheap.

The best are made from tricky grapes such as Nebbiolo, whose name comes from the word nebbia which means fog - something the hills of the Piemonte region are often shrouded with. It’s not ideal weather for growing late ripening grapes in, but it’s the traditional home of the finicky Nebbiolo grape, which is the sole ingredient in the newest Italian wine we have in store – the 2016 Produttori del Barbaresco Langhe Nebbiolo $46.99.

It comes from the Langhe; the name given to the hills north and south of the city of Alba in the province of Cuneo in Piemonte.

The Langhe was established as a legally defined wine producing area (DOC is the Italian term – Denominazione de Origin Controllata) in 1994. It’s used mostly by Barolo and Barbaresco producers who make a cheaper than usual Nebbiolo for relatively early drinking and label it with the grape variety, Nebbiolo, and region, Langhe.

The region is relatively small at 1371 hectares, which is about a quarter of the size of Hawke’s Bay, and is home to a growing number of international as well as Italian grapes, but, being Italy, it’s the native varieties that are the most exciting.

And in the case of Nebbiolo, the best still don’t come cheap, but their early drinking styles mean that oak is either low or not used at all. The highlight is on the grapes – a refreshing approach, which allows fruit flavours to shine.
We’re loving this new example from the Produttori del Barbaresco – one of our top Italian wine producers in store.

Come on in and check out the wine. It may not be everyday drinking for everybody at $46.99, but it does represent good value for money for a high quality Nebbiolo from a great producer.