How2Day: What Grapes Are in Barolo Wine?

Barolo wine is a favorite throughout Italy's region of Piedmont. Shana Novak/Photodisc/Getty Images
Barolo wine, produced in the Italian region of Piedmont, is made from nebbiolo grapes. Invented by Marchesa Giulietta Colbert Falletti during the 1800s, Barolo wine is made on more than 3,000 acres of vineyards across several towns in Piedmont as well as on imitation vineyards around the world. As a result of the strongly flavored nebbiolo grapes, Barolo wine features a powerful flavor reminiscent of flowers, oak or licorice.

Native to Piedmont, cultivation of the nebbiolo grape dates back to the 1300s. Exportation of the grape has been restricted; however several other countries such as Australia, New Zealand, the United States and some South American countries produce nebbiolo grapes. Featuring a rather bitter taste, the nebbiolo grape is a favorite among Italian wine makers and is used to produce red wines such as Barolo, Barbaresco and Gattinara. The grapes generally produce a dark and tannic red wine with a high alcohol content. Wines produced from nebbiolo grapes are best paired with aged cheese and strongly flavored meat. Nebbia is the Italian word for "fog," as nebbiolo grapes have a foggy appearance and feature a thin yet tough skin.

Known as the "king of wines," Barolo wine is produced only from nebbiolo grapes. This red wine features a strong and tannic flavor with a dark red appearance. Manufactured since the 1800s, this wine has decreased in popularity over the last few decades due to its hard flavor, yet remains a favorite among many wine enthusiasts. One major drawback of Barolo wines is they may take up to 10 years to mature, making it a difficult investment for many businesses. Some Barolo winemakers have been able to reduce the aging process to three years in an attempt to make it more commercially realistic.

Italian Barolo wine is produced solely in the region of Piedmont in two distinct areas: the left and right hills. The left hills feature hard soil and consist of following towns: Diano d'Alba, Grinzane Cavour, Serralunga, Castiglione Falletto and Monforte d'Alba. The right hills, featuring softer soil, produce wine that is to be consumed more quickly and are made up of the towns of Roddi, Verduno, La Morra, Novello, Cherasco. The alcohol content of Barolo wine is a set 13 percent, and the wine should be served at 60 degrees.

How2Day