Nebbiolo

The star of Barolo, Barbaresco and the Piedmont region of Italy, Nebbiolo has a reputation for being hard and somewhat unforgiving when young but then blossoming into a beautiful, aromatic and complex red wine with age. A slightly unfair reputation in our view, as we regularly encounter young Barolos that exhibit incredibly expressive, exotic characters when fresh off the boat (we can't help ourselves!). Quality and style can vary surprisingly widely because the vine is very fussy about its soil composition, but this is why the most famous vineyards and plots that have earned their reputation over generations should be taken seriously, as in good hands, they produce grapes that can make the most fabulous, beguiling, memorable red wines in the world. All “tar’n’roses” according to many. Away from Italy you can find increasingly impressive examples coming out of Mexico and Australia.