The best Barolo: everything you need to know about this premium Italian red wine from Ritschard Weine
Barolo, along with Brunello and Amarone, is considered one of Italy's finest wines. Located to the south-west of the famous truffle capital of Alba, the Barolo wine-growing region is known for producing the eponymous red wine, which is considered one of the best in Italy. The secret of this extraordinary red wine lies in the Nebbiolo grape variety, which gives it its distinctive flavour.
If you want to buy Barolo wine, you can be sure that you are getting a wine of the highest quality and authentic origin.
The origins of Barolo
The name Barolo first appeared in correspondence between English merchants, the Savoy ambassador in London and Piedmontese overseers as early as 1730. At that time, however, it was a mostly sweet wine made from Nebbiolo grapes, as fermentation often remained incomplete due to low winter temperatures.
The modern Barolo was created in the 19th century, largely with the help of the French oenologist Louis Oudart. He travelled to the municipality of Barolo in Italy around 1850 at the invitation of Marchesa Giulia Falletti di Barolo to advise her winery. Oudart relied on techniques from the Champagne region, where similar fermentation problems were known. He moved the fermentation process to newly built, underground wine cellars with stable temperatures and improved cellar hygiene.
Count Camillo Benso di Cavour, who later became Prime Minister, also benefited from Oudart's expertise. This is how Barolo came to be as we know it today: a dry red wine that quickly became popular in Turin and in the House of Savoy. The royal family even provided the Fontanafredda hunting lodge in Serralunga d'Alba for further experiments, which earned Barolo the title ‘Wine of Kings and King of Wines’.
After various crises and wars, it was the methanol scandal of 1986 that shook the wine market and led to Barolo production being almost halved overnight. But this crisis gave rise to a Barolo boom, supported by a new quality awareness and several outstanding vintages. In 1966, Barolo was awarded DOC status and in 1980 DOCG status, which was updated in 2014.
Geography and terroir
The Barolo wine-growing area is a horseshoe-shaped valley with steep, south-facing vineyards. It is located in the Piedmont region in the Langhe landscape, which is characterised by a series of steep hills bordered by rivers and the foothills of the Ligurian Alps. The name Langhe is derived from the Latin ‘lingua’, which refers to the tongue-like shape of the area.
In the distant past, what is now Piedmont was under an inland sea, which has had a significant influence on the soils of the Langhe. These consist mainly of calcareous marl, sandstone and clay, which give the wine its characteristic minerality. Various parts of the region, such as the Langhe, contribute significantly to the quality of the wines due to their unique soil composition and altitude. The western slopes around Barolo and La Morra produce lighter, more elegant wines, while the eastern areas around Serralunga d'Alba produce more robust, age-worthy wines.
The climate in the Langhe is moderately continental, with intense sunshine and strong temperature fluctuations between day and night, which allow the grapes to ripen optimally. The vineyards of the Barolo region, which cover approximately 2,000 hectares, are located at altitudes between 170 and 540 metres. They are concentrated in the municipalities of Barolo, La Morra, Castiglione Falletto, Serralunga d'Alba and Monforte d'Alba, which account for more than 80 per cent of production and are considered the historic core area of Barolo production.
In 1909, the vineyards in the municipalities of Grinzane Cavour, Verduno and Novello were included in the Barolo area, and in 1966, Diano d'Alba, Roddi and Cherasco were added when the area was granted DOC status. The Barolo vineyards are characterised by gently rolling hills and steep terraces, which, together with the special terroir and climate, give the wines their unique quality.
Nebbiolo – the top grape variety of the Barolo region in Piedmont
The Nebbiolo grape is the basis for Barolo wines and is considered one of the finest grape varieties in Italy. It is mainly grown in Piedmont and Lombardy. With its particularly tannin-rich skins, it produces top-quality wines that mature slowly and have an exceptionally long shelf life. The Nebbiolo grape is very sensitive to weather conditions and soil composition and requires a long ripening period to reach its full potential.
Taste and characteristics
Nebbiolo from Piedmont produces red wines that are characterised by high acidity and tannin content. Barolo is characterised by its strong structure, complex flavour and intense aroma. Depending on their degree of maturity and age, Barolo wines have a fruity or intense flavour and shimmer in a magnificent garnet to brick red, but never in a deep red.
These fine wines offer pronounced aromas of red fruits such as cherry, raspberry and plum, combined with notes of dried herbs and occasional floral hints of rose and violet, as well as hay, truffles, liquorice, tobacco, spices and leather.
The wines, often referred to as ‘wine of kings’, are usually aged in oak barrels for long periods of time to soften the strong tannins. While some winemakers continue to rely on old oak barrels, many also use new barrels, which give the wines additional aromas of vanilla, caramel and fresh oak.
The high acidity and tannin content of Nebbiolo means that these wines often improve with bottle age. Over time, the best examples develop complex tertiary aromas such as mushrooms, tobacco and leather. Barolo wines only become drinkable after years and then reach an alcohol content of up to 15 percent. These wines are known for their longevity and often continue to develop over many years.
Barolo DOCG, Riserva and Riserva Speciale
Barolo received DOC recognition in 1966, followed by DOCG status in 1980. This DOCG designation ensures the quality and origin of the wine. The designations Riserva and Riserva Speciale indicate higher quality and longer ageing.
The production of DOCG Barolo wines is subject to strict regulations. These wines must be stored for at least three years, with two years in barrels. A Barolo Riserva, on the other hand, must be aged for at least four years, with three years spent in barrels. A Riserva Speciale even requires a maturation period of five years, with at least four years in wooden barrels.
Top DOCG Barolo winemakers
James Suckling, Robert Parker, Hugh Johnson. The list of wine critics who enthuse about the quality of Barolo wines could be extended indefinitely. They have all tasted and evaluated various top wines from the Barolo region.
Michele Chiarlo: a renowned winemaker from the Barolo region
Michele Chiarlo is a highly regarded winemaker from the Barolo region, whose wines are appreciated worldwide for their elegance and complexity. The Michele Chiarlo winery covers 110 hectares in the Langhe, Monferrato and Gavi areas. Chiarlo's wines are known for their elegant structure and complexity, while the top reds also have remarkable longevity.
Marchesi di Barolo
Marchesi di Barolo is located in the heart of the DOCG Barolo. The winery was founded in 1810 by Marquis Falletti and later managed by his wife Juliette Colbert de Maulévrier, who focused on the cultivation of Nebbiolo grapes. After her death, the Abbona family took over the estate and raised the wines to a new level of quality. To this day, Marchesi di Barolo is run by the fifth generation of the Abbona family and is known worldwide for its elegant wines.
Cordero di Montezemolo
Cordero di Montezemolo is known for its outstanding Barolo wines, which have received worldwide acclaim. The winery is one of the most traditional and dynamic in the Barolo region, which is situated in the fascinating landscape of the Langhe in northern Piedmont. In 1940, the Cordero di Montezemolo family acquired the magnificent Domaine Monfalletto from the Falletti family. The estate, founded in 1340, is located in the village of La Morra, in the historic centre of the Barolo region, and today produces one of the appellation's most prestigious wines.
The perfect combination: Barolo wine and food
Barolo is a versatile wine that goes well with a wide variety of dishes, especially meat and cheese. In Italian culture, the perfect pairing of wine and food is central to the dining experience. A classic example is a Barolo like Barolo di Serralunga d'Alba, which is at its best with braised or roast meats. The wine's robust flavours perfectly complement the intense flavours of fillet of beef or saddle of venison.
Cheese platters also pair exceptionally well with Barolo, particularly blue-veined cheeses like Gorgonzola. A Barolo Cannubi will bring out the spicy and creamy flavours of the cheese particularly well, creating a harmonious union. The prominent tannins and powerful flavour of the Barolo are ideally suited to the intense spiciness of such foods, offering an extraordinary taste experience.
A surprising but equally fitting partner for Barolo is dark chocolate with a high cocoa content, around 85%. A Barolo Brunate can balance the bitterness of the chocolate and offer an interesting flavour combination.
Due to its distinctive tannins, Barolo should never be served too cool. Decant it about an hour before serving to bring it to its optimal drinking temperature of 16-18°C. This allows the tannins to combine into a more harmonious whole and the wine to reach its full potential.
Barolo wines at Ritschard Wines
The online shop of Ritschard Weine offers a fine selection of Barolo wines. The wines can be purchased online and delivered directly to your home.
The Ritschard Weine Shop also offers advice on finding the perfect wine for every occasion. The wines in the shop are of the highest quality and are carefully selected.
Frequently asked questions and their answers about Barolo red wine
Why is a Barolo so expensive?
The production of Barolo is quite elaborate, and it takes several years before it is ready for the market. An ordinary Barolo must mature for five years before it can be sold.
Which grapes are used to make Barolo?
Barolo wine is made from the Nebbiolo grape variety, whereby the clones Lampia, Michet and Rosé may be used. The grapes are dark blue to greyish in colour and covered with a thick waxy layer. They have an elongated, pyramid-like shape with small, spherical berries and a robust skin.
How do you drink a Barolo?
Which dishes go best with it? Barolo harmonises perfectly with festive main courses such as roast beef or venison marinated in red wine, or jugged hare. Tart flavours such as cloves, juniper or bay come into their own, while sweet oriental spices are less suitable.
What is the difference between Barolo and Nebbiolo?
A Barolo is made entirely from the Nebbiolo grape variety, which takes its name from the Italian word ‘Nebia’ for fog. However, this name refers less to the fog that often hangs over the vineyards at harvest time than to other aspects.
What kind of wine is Barolo?
Barolo is a dry red wine from the Piedmont region in northern Italy and is named after the municipality of Barolo, which is located about 15 km southwest of Alba. Together with Brunello di Montalcino and Amarone della Valpolicella, it is one of the most prestigious red wines in Italy.
Which wine is comparable to Barolo?
Brunello di Montalcino is, alongside Barolo, one of the most impressive and sought-after Italian red wines. The Sangiovese Grosso grape variety used to make this classic wine grows at an altitude of 220 metres in the best hillside locations in the south of Montalcino. The ideal terroir is also characterised by sandy and very calcareous soils.