Barolo wine region
Credit: Matteo Colombo / Getty Images
The Barolo wine region is arguably the most famous DOCG in Italy.
It’s located in the northern Italian region of Piedmont, south of Alba, and has UNESCO World Heritage status.
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History
Before the mid-19th century, it was made in a richly sweet and fruity style which wasn’t to the taste of the Count of Cavour.
Louis Oudart, a French winemaker from Champagne, was hired to create the style we know today – a dry red wine.
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Known as the ‘King of Wine’, Barolo is produced from the Nebbiolo grape. It’s one of the first varieties to bud and the last to ripen, with harvest taking place in mid-to-late October.
The wines have a minimum ageing requirement of 3 years.
Key terms:
• Riserva Aged for a minimum of five years
• Vigna on a label indicates a single vineyard wine
The communes
The DOCG consists of 11 villages: Barolo, Castiglione Falletto, Serralunga d’Alba, Cherasco, Diano d’Alba, Grinzane Cavour, La Morra, Monforte d’Alba, Novello, Roddi and Verduno.
These ‘communes’ each have vineyards which contribute their own unique styles, and this was solidified in 2010 when the Consorzio ratified the MGAs for Barolo and Barbaresco.
The area benefits from a continental climate, classified as warm and temperate, with an extended summer and autumn which is perfect for producing top quality grapes.
Latest Barolo articles:
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Barolo 2008
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Jefford on Monday: Where do we go from here?
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Barolo 2009: panel tasting results
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Barolo’s golden age
Michael Garner finds out what’s behind an unprecedented string of strong vintages...
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Barolo producer Giacomo Conterno buys Arione vineyard
Barolo producer Giacomo Conterno has purchased the prized nine-hectare Arione vineyard to the south of Serralunga d’Alba from Cantina Gigi Rosso.
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Investment analysis: SuperTuscans and Barolos
As Bordeaux’s pricing woes continue, interest in Italy as a fine wine investment vehicle grows, with SuperTuscans and Barolos leading the way. Ella Lister analyses the hot prospects
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Serralunga Barolos: Mellowing with age
Held in high esteem, Serralunga Barolos have at the same time earned a reputation as fierce and tannic beasts. Yet today's wines are more approachable than ever, finds Stephen Brook
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Decanter's Accademia del Barolo consumer tasting
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Decanter's Accademia del Barolo trade tasting
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Barolo: The glory days
1978 was the one vintage that really put Barolo on the map. Since then there have been enormous changes in both vineyard and cellar, as well as global warming. So has this changed the intrinsic character of the wines? Tom Maresca reports...
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Barolo vineyards get UNESCO World Heritage status
Vineyards used to produce Barolo and Barbaresco DOCG wines in Italy's Piedmont region have been granted UNESCO World Heritage status.
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Video interview with Ian D'Agata at the Decanter Fine Wine Encounter 2013
Watch our exclusive video interview with Ian D'Agata, Decanter's World Wine Awards Regional Chair for Piedmont, speaking after his Barolo 1997 and 2001 masterclass at the 2013 Decanter Fine Wine Encounter in London.
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Vintage Report: Barolo 2009
Tom Maresca was roundly disappointed by this 2009 tasting, citing the winemakers' failure to address how difficult the vintage was as one reason for this 'dismal' showing
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Barolo producers split as court reverses Cannubi ruling
An Italian court has annulled an earlier ruling restricting the use of the Barolo Cannubi name on wine labels, in a move that some believe will confuse consumers.
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Decanter travel guide: Langhe, Piedmont, Italy
Carla Capalbo finds the moody landscape of rolling vineyards a picturesque backdrop to the Barolo, truffles, pasta and other regional delights on offer here. Published in Decanter's September 2011 issue.
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Barolo producers celebrate Cannubi victory
Italian wine producers are claiming victory after a tribunal ruled to return the Cannubi vineyard area in Barolo to its previous size.
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Masi, Allegrini, Barolo 2001: Decanter to pour some of Italy's rarest at May event 2010
Some of Italy’s rarest and most sought-after wines are being poured at a Decanter event next month – including the superb and almost unavailable Barolo 2001s.
