Collection: Langhe Nebbiolo DOC

Langhe Nebbiolo DOC is a red wine from the Langhe hills in the province of Cuneo in Piemonte in northern Italy. The Nebbiolo grape is the protagonist, and if you know Barolo and Barbaresco, you will recognise its character here in a more accessible and everyday form. Every wine in this category comes from precisely this defined appellation, whose origin is fixed in law.

Langhe DOC is a broad regional designation that sits beneath the more prestigious appellations Barolo and Barbaresco. The wine is made from at least 85% Nebbiolo, with room for up to 15% of other permitted red grapes, but in practice Nebbiolo is by far the dominant grape. The category is often used for fruit declassified from Barolo or Barbaresco, and for younger Nebbiolo that is ready to drink sooner. It should not be confused with Nebbiolo d'Alba DOC, which is a different appellation.

Nebbiolo is known for its pale, garnet-red colour, which is often lighter than the taste suggests. In return it offers a firm structure with pronounced tannins, a framework that gives the wines both elegance and longevity. Aromatically the grape typically leans towards red berries, roses, spices and an earthy undertone that over time can develop towards dried fruits and herbs.

Where Barolo and Barbaresco require long ageing, the rules for Langhe Nebbiolo are far freer, without the same demands for long barrel ageing. That gives producers a freer hand, and the wines are generally more relaxed and ready to drink at a younger age. The style varies from house to house. Some work traditionally with large, neutral wooden casks, while others choose a more modern approach with smaller barriques. Neither is prescribed, and it is precisely this freedom that makes the category so versatile.

That makes Langhe Nebbiolo a fine introduction to Piemonte's noble grape if you would like to experience its expression without waiting many years for the wine to open up. It suits the classic Piemontese cuisine with meat dishes, mushrooms and mature cheeses, but also works well for a quiet evening at home. If you would like to delve further into the grape's many faces, you can explore our selection of Nebbiolo or take a broader look at the red wines from Piemonte.