Nebbiolo Wine

Nebbiolo is one of Italy's great red grapes, best known as the variety behind Barolo and Barbaresco in Piedmont. Its wines can combine remarkable perfume and freshness with firm tannins, showing flavours and aromas of red cherry, rose, dried herbs, spice and, with age, more savoury and earthy complexity.

At Spy, our Nebbiolo selection focuses on distinctive wines from carefully chosen producers. Explore everything from approachable, fragrant Nebbiolo to more structured and age-worthy Barolo and Barbaresco, with bottles that show the character of their vineyards and producers rather than simply the name of the appellation.

  • Bottle of Langhe Nebbiolo from Sobrero Cantina, with a half-barrel pencil sketch on the label

    Sobrero Francesco Langhe Nebbiolo

    Sobrero Francesco Langhe Nebbiolo

    75cl | ABV: 14%

    £28.95
    £28.95
  • Bottle of Barolo Parussi from Sobrero Organic Winery Piedmont

    Sobrero Francesco Barolo Parussi

    Sobrero Francesco Barolo Parussi

    75cl | ABV: 14%

    £66.95
    £66.95

Nebbiolo Wine Buying Guide

Nebbiolo is famous for combining perfume and elegance with surprisingly firm tannins and fresh acidity. The grape is most closely associated with Piedmont in north-west Italy, where differences in vineyard, appellation and ageing can produce strikingly different expressions.

Which style of Nebbiolo should you choose?

For a more approachable introduction, look for younger Nebbiolo with fragrant red fruit, floral aromas and lively freshness. Barolo and Barbaresco can offer greater structure, complexity and ageing potential, although individual producer and vineyard style matter enormously.

Barolo, Barbaresco and Nebbiolo

Barolo and Barbaresco are both Piedmont appellations whose red wines are made from Nebbiolo. They are among the grape's most celebrated expressions, but Nebbiolo is also produced under other appellations and regional designations, often offering a more immediate way to discover the variety.

Look beyond the biggest Piedmont names

Nebbiolo is particularly rewarding when you explore individual producers and vineyards. Smaller producers can offer distinctive expressions shaped by site, traditional or modern winemaking choices and different approaches to ageing. Looking beyond the most famous labels can reveal some of Piedmont's most characterful wines.

Nebbiolo FAQs

What does Nebbiolo taste like?

Nebbiolo commonly shows red cherry and other red-fruit flavours alongside rose, dried herbs, spice and savoury notes. Despite its relatively pale colour, it can have high acidity and firm tannins, with mature wines developing more complex earthy, dried-fruit and aromatic characters.

Is Nebbiolo the same as Barolo?

No. Nebbiolo is the grape variety, while Barolo is a specific wine appellation in Piedmont. Barolo is made entirely from Nebbiolo, but Nebbiolo is grown and made into wine in several other parts of Piedmont and beyond.

What is the difference between Barolo and Barbaresco?

Both are Piedmont wines made from Nebbiolo, but they come from different appellations with their own vineyards, soils, mesoclimates and ageing requirements. Barolo is often associated with greater power and structure, while Barbaresco is often described as more immediately elegant, but producer, vineyard and vintage can be more important than these broad generalisations.

What food goes with Nebbiolo?

Nebbiolo's acidity and tannins make it particularly good with rich, savoury food. Try it with braised beef, roast lamb, game, mushrooms, truffle dishes or mature cheeses. More approachable Nebbiolo can also work beautifully with pasta, risotto and charcuterie.

Explore more distinctive Nebbiolo and Italian red wine

Barolo Barbaresco Italian Red Wine Piedmont Sangiovese Red Wine