Langhe Nebbiolo: 10 Best Wines, Prices, Food Pairings

Langhe Nebbiolo is an easy-drinking red wine from the Piedmont region in northern Italy.

This wine style is considered to be the more affordable and approachable version of the grand Barolo and Barbaresco - the region’s most prestigious wines.

Let’s find out all about Langhe Nebbiolo, including how it is made, some great bottles, food pairings, and interesting facts about the Piemonte wine region.

What is Langhe Nebbiolo?

This dry red wine is made with at least 85% of the Nebbiolo grape variety and 15% other native grapes like Dolcetto and Barbera. All grapes are sourced from the Langhe DOC vineyard lands in Piedmont.

The Langhe Nebbiolo appellation was founded in 1994. That’s when winemakers started producing lighter and more easy-drinking wines from the harvest’s declassified grapes. 

These grapes couldn’t be used in their Barolo and Barbaresco wines, so they labeled the wines as Langhe Nebbiolo.

10 Magnificent Langhe Nebbiolo Wines to Buy in 2023

Here are some of the best Langhe Nebbiolo wines you should try:

1. 2016 Giuseppe Rinaldi Langhe Nebbiolo
2. 2017 Bartolo Mascarello Langhe Nebbiolo
3. 2018 Giovanni Canonica Langhe Nebbiolo
4. 2017 Ester Canale Rosso Langhe Nebbiolo
5. 2005 Roberto Voerzio San Francesco Fontanazza Langhe Nebbiolo
6. 2016 Poderi Aldo Conterno 'Il Favot' Langhe Nebbiolo
7. 2018 E. Pira & Figli Chiara Boschis Langhe Nebbiolo
8. 2017 Vietti 'Perbacco' Langhe Nebbiolo
9. 2018 Conterno Fantino 'Ginestrino' Langhe Nebbiolo
10. 2017 La Spinetta Langhe Nebbiolo

1. 2016 Giuseppe Rinaldi Langhe Nebbiolo ($179)

This is a 100% Nebbiolo wine vinified with indigenous yeast and aged in Slavonian oak casks for 18 months.

The result is a rich and classy Langhe Nebbiolo with medium tannin levels and a refined palate. The dried rose and violet aroma notes are accompanied by wild strawberry and cherry flavors and underlayers of spice and truffle.

2. 2017 Bartolo Mascarello Langhe Nebbiolo ($91)

This wine hails from the prestigious Bartolo Mascarello winery. The nose opens up with rose, tar, and dried violet petal aroma notes. The palate is silky, with dominant red fruits tasting notes and subtle hints of anise and licorice.

3. 2018 Giovanni Canonica Langhe Nebbiolo ($63)

This Langhe Nebbiolo vintage is tannic and rich. The bright acidity is accompanied by raspberry and earth flavor notes. The nose is incredibly fragrant with floral aroma hints.

4. 2017 Ester Canale Rosso Langhe Nebbiolo ($135)

This dry red is a masterfully made Nebbiolo with a savory and rich palate, pleasant acidity, and plush tannin mouthfeel. The nose is intoxicating with notes of rose, tar, and spice. The wine is layered with cherry, strawberry, and raspberry tasting notes. 

5. 2005 Roberto Voerzio San Francesco Fontanazza Langhe Nebbiolo ($61)

This great Langhe Nebbiolo is produced by the Italian winemaker Roberto Voerzio and boasts a rich flavor profile with luscious cherry, raspberry, and currant on the palate. The opulent aroma bouquet includes subtle oak, tobacco, and vanilla notes.

6. 2016 Poderi Aldo Conterno 'Il Favot' Langhe Nebbiolo ($51)

Here we have a luscious red wine bottle with a refined tannic palate, musky hints, and red fruit aromas. The flavor notes include candied strawberry and licorice undertones.

7. 2018 E. Pira & Figli Chiara Boschis Langhe Nebbiolo ($35)

This young medium-bodied vintage showcases a well-balanced palate with rich red fruit notes, fragrant licorice and menthol nose, and a long-lasting finish.

8. 2017 Vietti 'Perbacco' Langhe Nebbiolo ($25)

This wine bottle opens up with an alluring nose of rose, cherry, and tar. The palate reveals elegant yet intense notes of spice, wild berries, and minerals.

9. 2018 Conterno Fantino 'Ginestrino' Langhe Nebbiolo ($34)

Here we have an easy-drinking and well-refined red wine with a rich tannin texture, red fruit flavors, and refreshing acidity. The nose is floral with hints of rose, lily, and blue flowers.

10. 2017 La Spinetta Langhe Nebbiolo ($39)

This red wine has a delicate yet complex palate that opens up with light red fruit notes and evolves into more intense savory and meaty notes with hints of herbs, white truffle, and tar.

Langhe Nebbiolo Food Pairings

A glass of Langhe Nebbiolo pairs beautifully with all sorts of braised or grilled meats, Italian pasta, and spicy dishes. 

You can also serve it with a rich cheese board with medium aged cheese varieties like Cheddar, Havarti, and Gouda.

Langhe Nebbiolo vs. Barolo and Barbaresco

Langhe Nebbiolo is often seen as the younger sibling of the more sophisticated Barolos and Barbarescos. And while the wines have similar floral aromas and red fruit flavors, they differ in a few ways:

• Vines: Langhe Nebbiolo is usually made with grapes from young vine plantings. Barolo and Barbaresco are made with fruit from older vines which produce berries with more concentrated flavors and aromas.

• Winemaking: Langhe Nebbiolo’s alcoholic fermentation with native yeast, maceration, and malolactic fermentation stages are usually shorter.

• Aging: The Langhe Nebbiolo wine is aged in Slavonian oak casks, while the more expensive Barolo and Barbaresco wines are aged in French oak barriques.

Langhe Nebbiolo does not have minimum aging requirements and generally spends less time in the oak casks.

• Drinking window: Langhe Nebbiolo is best enjoyed young. You can drink it immediately after its release or store it for up to 4-5 years. 

The more sophisticated Barolos and Barbarescos should be aged for at least a decade to soften and develop their complex aroma and flavor notes.

Interesting Facts About the Piedmont Wine Region

The Piemonte wine region is located right between the Alps and the Apennines. Let’s explore some quick facts about the region:

What is the terroir in Piedmont like?

Some of the best vineyard sites are located on the hillsides, where the terroir is influenced by the cool mountain and warm Mediterranean climate. This creates the perfect temperature and sun exposure balance for the grape growth and ripening.

What other wines are produced in Piedmont?

While Piedmont is most well-known for its Nebbiolo wine styles, the region also produces:

• Barbera: This red wine delights with its black cherry and herb tasting notes.
• Dolcetto: This wine is known for its harsh tannin mouthfeel, inky color, and dark fruit flavors.
• Brachetto: The Brachetto grape variety produces light red wines (similar to Pinot Noir.) One of the more popular wine styles is Brachetto d’Acqui - sparkling red wine with subtle sweetness and a light body.
• Arneis: The Arneis white wine has a fresh palate, grassy hints, and almond undertones.
• Asti Spumante: This white sparkling wine has a low alcohol content of 9% and is easy-drinking.
• Moscato d’Asti: This semi-sparkling wine is usually sweet with a very low alcohol content of 5%.

While Langhe Nebbiolo is an exquisite red wine for any occasion, there are several age-worthy Piedmont labels you can add to your collection.

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Langhe Nebbiolo: A Rich Red Wine for Your Next Celebration

If you’re a red wine lover, Langhe Nebbiolo has a lot to offer. From its complex palate and refined texture to its beautiful array of red fruit and floral notes, this wine is a great alternative to the more expensive Barolos and Barbarescos!

But if you prefer investing in fine wine instead, check out the Vinovest website. This advanced AI-based platform lets you easily buy, store, and sell excellent vintages from around the world.