Italy | Barolo

Barolo, is a red "denominazione di origine controllata e garantita" (DOCG) wine produced in the north western Italian region of Piedmont. It is unquestionably Italy's greatest wine appellation and its finest wines are the ultimate expression of the Nebbiolo grape, known for its high acidity and strong tannins.

Barolo has long been compared to Burgundy, where a complex terroir of small highly prized parcels of land create wines that reflect the localised changes in aspect, soil composition and microclimates. Within the DOCG, there are 11 communes based around 11 villages that lie just to the south of the town of Alba: Barolo, Castiglione Falletto, Serralunga d’Alba, Cherasco, Diano d’Alba, Grinzane Cavour, La Morra, Monforte d’Alba, Novello, Roddi and Verduno. 

There are also a further 170 vineyards registered as MGAs (menzioni geografiche aggiuntive) within these communes, that can vary in size quite dramatically from areas such as Bussia which covers nearly 300ha within Monforte, to Rocche dell'Annunziata at 30ha within La Morra.

By law Barolo must be aged for at least two years in wood vessels and at least one year in bottle before release. When aged for a minimum of 5 years before release the wine can be labelled as a Barolo Riserva.

The wine is often referred to as "The King of Wines and a Wine for Kings".