- For the graphic arts firm and type foundry, see Nebiolo Printech
Nebbiolo (
Italian), or
Nebieul (
Piedmontese) is a
red wine grape variety predominantly associated with its native
Piedmont region, where it makes the
Denominazione di Origine Controllata e Garantita (DOCG) wines of
Barolo,
Barbaresco,
Roero,
Gattinara and
Ghemme. Nebbiolo is thought to derive its name from the Italian word
nebbia which means "
fog." During
harvest, which generally takes place late in October, a deep, intense fog sets into the
Langhe region where many Nebbiolo vineyards are located. Alternative explanations refers to the fog-like milky veil that forms over the berries as they reach maturity, or that perhaps the name is derived instead from the Italian word
nobile, meaning . Nebbiolo produces lightly-colored red wines which can be highly
tannic in youth with scents of
tar and
roses. As they
age, the wines take on a characteristic brick-orange hue at the rim of the glass and mature to reveal other
aromas and flavors such as
violets,
tar, wild
herbs,
cherries,
raspberries,
truffles,
tobacco, and
prunes. Nebbiolo wines can require years of aging to balance the tannins with other characteristics.