Barbaresco
Continental
Nebbiolo's more elegant sibling: silkier and earlier-drinking than Barolo, from a smaller, warmer zone north-east of Alba.
Overview
About Barbaresco
Barbaresco covers the village of Barbaresco, Neive, Treiso and part of San Rocco Seno d'Elvio, on a set of hills close to the Tanaro river. The wine is made from Nebbiolo alone, and ranks alongside Barolo, though it is typically more delicate and perfumed, with softer tannins.
The warmer climate means Nebbiolo ripens a little earlier, and the rules are slightly less demanding, with 26 months' ageing, including nine in wood. The Produttori del Barbaresco cooperative, founded in 1958, has long been one of the appellation's most reliable producers.
Barbaresco is marked on the map.
Italy
Shaded: Cuneo. Map units are states, provinces or départements, so a smaller place appears as the larger area that contains it.
The land
Climate & terroir
Climate
Continental
Continental, but slightly warmer and earlier-ripening than Barolo, thanks to the nearby Tanaro and lower altitudes. Autumn fog still shrouds the hills.
Terroir & soils
What the vines grow in
Mostly calcareous Tortonian marl, more uniform than Barolo's, giving the wine its consistency and finesse.
Go deeper
Rules, years & producers
Barbaresco is a DOCG with shorter ageing than Barolo and named vineyard sites that act as informal crus.
Barbaresco Riserva
At least 50 months' ageing before release.
Barbaresco DOCG
Nebbiolo only; at least 26 months' ageing, including nine in wood.
MGA (named site)
A named vineyard site, such as Asili, Rabajà or Pora, on the label; not an official rank.
What's grown here
Grapes
Each grape's page links back here.