Barolo, one of the world’s most famous red wines, is as popular as ever today. Thanks to a combination of numerous favorable vintages over the past 15-20 years, along with the fact that the Langhe district, where Barolo is produced, was named as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2014, Barolo has an added visibility that it did not enjoy even two decades ago; this despite the fact that the wine has enjoyed great fame for much of the 20th century.
Given this, let’s look at the Barolo production zone to discover the various styles of this wine. Produced solely from the local Nebbiolo variety, Barolo is one of the longest-lived wines made anywhere, as Nebbiolo contains high levels of tannins. Along with the grape’s natural acidity, which helps preserve freshness, Barolo routinely ages for 10-12 years in even the most ordinary vintages, while in great years such as 1996, 2001, 2004, 2016, 2010 and 2013, the finest examples of Barolo have the capability of drinking well for as many as 40-50 years or even longer in some instances.
Best producers: Renato Ratti, Poderi Oddero, Roberto Voerzio, Rocche Costamagna, Mauro Molino, Elio Altare, M. Marengo, Mauro Veglio, Trediberri, Michele Chiarlo, Batasiolo, Cordero di Montezemolo, Fratelli Ravello, Michele Reverdito, Aurelio Settimo
Excerpt taken from: Forbes | Food & Drink
Tom Hyland – Contributor
