Wine Denomination from Piedmont
Barolo received DOCG status in 1980, cementing its reputation as one of Italy's most prestigious wine denominations. Known as the "King of Wines," Barolo is produced exclusively from Nebbiolo grapes grown in a limited zone within the Langhe hills of Piedmont. The wine has been produced in this area since at least the 14th century, with modern production methods developing in the 19th century.
The Barolo production zone encompasses 11 communes in the province of Cuneo in southern Piedmont: Barolo, La Morra, Castiglione Falletto, Serralunga d'Alba, and Monforte d'Alba produce wines entirely within the DOCG, while Cherasco, Diano d'Alba, Grinzane Cavour, Novello, Roddi, and Verduno include partial vineyard areas. The zone covers approximately 2,100 hectares of vineyard land on hillsides ranging from 170 to 540 meters elevation.
Barolo must be produced from 100% Nebbiolo grapes, specifically the Lampia, Michet, and Rosé biotypes. No other grape varieties are permitted in the blend. The Nebbiolo grape is indigenous to Piedmont and reaches its finest expression in the calcareous marl soils of the Barolo zone.
Barolo vineyards must be planted on hillside terrain with southern, southwestern, or southeastern exposure. The maximum yield is 8,000 kg per hectare of grapes, producing no more than 56 hectoliters per hectare of wine. The wine requires a minimum of 38 months of aging, including at least 18 months in wood barrels. Riserva wines must age for a minimum of 62 months before release. The minimum alcohol content is 13%.
Barolo presents a garnet red color with orange reflections that intensify with age. The wine offers complex aromas of roses, tar, dried fruit, spices, and truffles. On the palate, Barolo is dry, full-bodied, and robust with pronounced tannins that soften with extended aging. The wine displays flavors of cherry, licorice, tobacco, and earth, with a persistent finish. Well-aged Barolo develops ethereal qualities and remarkable complexity.
The Barolo zone sits in the Langhe hills south of Alba, where the Serravallian soils of Sant'Agata fossil marls dominate the eastern communes while Tortonian soils with more sand and magnesium characterize the western areas. This geological divide creates distinct stylistic differences between villages. The continental climate features cold winters, warm summers, and autumn fog (nebbia, which gives Nebbiolo its name) that moderates temperatures during harvest.
Barolo DOCG regulations mandate strict quality controls including vineyard registration and annual production declarations. Yields are limited to 7,480 liters per hectare of finished wine. All Barolo must undergo chemical analysis and organoleptic evaluation by a tasting commission before approval. Since 2010, regulations recognize 11 official geographic mentions (MGA) or cru vineyards that may be listed on labels, identifying specific sites with distinct characteristics within the broader DOCG zone.