TAVOLO VIGNETO
The Regions of
Northwestern Italy
PIEMONTE
LOMBARDIA
VALLE D’AOSTA
LIGURIA
Located in the shadow of the Alps, Italy’s Northwestern corner is the birthplace of heroic viticulture and
home to some of Europe’s most sought-after wines. The area’s terroir is incredibly diverse, ranging
from the mountainous terrain of Valle d’Aosta to the steep, rocky coastline of Liguria and the ever-
changing soils found in the hills of Piemonte.
Such diversity creates ideal growing conditions for veritable cornucopia of historical grape varieties. The
most notable of these is Italy’s greatest native cultivar—Nebbiolo.
NORTHWESTERN ITALY & THE WORLD OF NEBBIOLO
Located in the shadow of the Alps, Italy’s Northwestern corner is the birthplace of heroic viticulture and
home to some of Europe’s most sought-after wines. The area’s terroir is incredibly diverse, ranging
from the mountainous terrain of Valle d’Aosta to the steep, rocky coastline of Liguria and the ever-
changing soils found in the hills of Piemonte.
Such diversity creates ideal growing conditions for veritable cornucopia of historical grape varieties. The
most notable of these is Italy’s greatest native cultivar—Nebbiolo.
World Of Nebbiolo
The production of Nebbiolo has always been concentrated in Italy’s Northwestern corner. The birthplace appears to have been in the rolling hills of the Langhe, home to the grape’s two genotypes. It spread Northeast to the Alto Piemonte, ultimately reaching the mountains of Valle d’Aosta and Lombardia. The grape has changed over the centuries since its spread, adapting to its environment (again reminiscent of Pinot Noir) and becoming a handful of clonal variations which enjoy distinctly different stylistic traits.
Reputedly named by the Romans (“Nebbia” is the Latin word for fog), Nebbiolo is also one of Italy’s oldest native grapes. References to it appear in the written record as early as 1270, increasing in number and frequency throughout the Renaissance. By the 18th century, it had come to be regarded as one of the country’s most important grape varieties. A particular favorite of Piemonte’s ruling elite, it also became a grape that symbolized the new Italian nation — itwas used by Italy’s first Prime Minister, Count Camillo Benso di Cavour, to create Barolo (supposedly as a celebration of Italy’s unification in 1861).
One of Italy’s greatest native grapes, Nebbiolo is truly something special. At first glance, the wines produced from it can be delicate in their appearance, often cloudy and pale in color. Reminiscent of Pinot Noir in this respect (and for the plethora of aromatics that arise from the glass), this delicate appearance is normally a deception —while less robust in color than inky wines made from Syrah or Sagrantino, Nebbiolo delivers arich, tannic structure that is bold and chewy, yet nuanced and subtle.
THE CLONES & SUB-ZONES OF NEBBIOLO
Nebbiolo’s gradual spread across Northwestern Italy has spawned a variety of clonal variations for the grape. Over the centuries, winemaking has adopted these clones on a quasi-regional basis (just as has been done in Tuscany with Sangiovese). Today, the modern landscape of Nebbiolo encompasses the following clones and production areas.
LOMBARDIA
VALTELLINA
Nebbiolo Clones—Chiavennasca
Soil Type—Granite and Schist (with Deposits of Clay, Loam, Sand, Gravel)
SUB-ZONES
VALTELLINA SUPERIORE DOCG
VALLE D’AOSTA
DONNAS
PIEMONTE
CAREMA
Nebbiolo Clones—Picotendro
Soil Type—Morainic (Limestone and Glacial Till)
SUB-ZONES
CAREMA DOC
PIEMONTE
LANGHE - BAROLO DOCG
Nebbiolo Clones—Rose (Nebbiolo genotype),
Lampia (Nebbiolo genotype),
Michet
Soil Type—Helvetian (iron-richs and stone),
Tortonian (clay with sand and limestone)
SUB-ZONES (11 Villages)
BAROLO DOCG
Barolo | Bric Cenciurio
Castiglione Falletto
Cherasco
Diano d’Alba
Grinzane Cavour
La Morra | Bovio
Monforte d’Alba | Manzone
Novello | La Spinona
Roddi
Serralunga d’Alba | Rivetto
Verduno
PIEMONTE
LANGHE - BARBARESCO DOCG
Nebbiolo Clones—Rose (Nebbiolo genotype),
Lampia (Nebbiolo genotype),
Michet
Soil Type—Helvetian (iron-richs and stone),
Tortonian (clay with sand and limestone)
SUB-ZONES (4 Villages)
BARBARESCO DOCG
Barbaresco | La Spinona
Nieve | San Mauro
Treiso d’Alba
San Rocco d’Elvio
PIEMONTE
ALTO PIEMONTE
Nebbiolo Clones—Spanna (typically blended with Vespolina and Uva Rara)
Soil Type—Volcanic (Coste della Sesia DOC),
Alluvial or Morainic (Colline Novaresi DOC)
SUB-ZONES
COSTE DELLA SESIA DOC
Bramaterra DOC | La Psigula
Gattinara DOCG | Del Signore
Lessona DOC | Pietro Cassina
PIEMONTE
ROERO
Nebbiolo Clones—Lampia (Nebbiolo genotype), Michet
Soil Type—Marl Sandstone (sand, limestone, marine fossils)
SUB-ZONES
ROERO DOCG
PIEMONTE
VAL D’OSSOLA
Nebbiolo Clones—Prunent
Soil Type—Calcareous, Sandy Loam
SUB-ZONES
VALLI OSSOLANE DOC
PIEMONTE
ALTO PIEMONTE
Nebbiolo Clones—Spanna (typically blended with Vespolina and Uva Rara)
Soil Type—Volcanic (Coste della Sesia DOC),
Alluvial or Morainic (Colline Novaresi DOC)
SUB-ZONES
COLLINE NOVARESI DOC
Boca DOC | Poderi Garona
Fara DOC | Boniperti
Ghemme DOCG | Brigatti
Sizzano DOC | Poderi Garona