Barolo

Barolo, a name that resonates with wine lovers, is one of the most renowned Italian wine regions. Hailing from a small commune in a hilly area of Piedmont near the town of Alba, Barolo's famous wines are composed of the grape Nebbiolo. These wines are known for their signature aromas of tar and roses.

The subregion of Barolo lies in southwestern Langhe, about 44 miles (70 kilometers) from the Ligurian Sea. Several creeks in the area - primarily Talloria, Talloria di Castiglione and Talloria dell'Annunziata - provide plenty of moisture to the region. The climate is fairly cool and foggy. In fact, Barolo's signature grape, Nebbiolo, is linked to the Italian word for fog, 'nebbia'.

The Barolo subregion is relatively wide and includes an interesting varieties of terroirs in its approximately 31 square miles (80 square kilometers).

From the geological point of view, this subregion can approximately be split into two areas. One has soils mainly composed of sandstone and forms a sort of stripe running from the southern border of the subregion to the southeast. Here you can find renowned estates like Elio Grasso, Giacomo Conterno (both from Monforte d'Alba) and Massolino (from Serralunga d'Alba).

The other sub-area lies around the hamlets of Barolo and La Morra and its soil has a higher content of calcium carbonate stretching from the center towards the northern reaches of the subregion.

From La Morra come producers like Rocche Costamagna and Roberto Voerzio, as well as the notable talent Eraldo Viberti. Great labels from the vineyards on the renowned hill of Cannubi, include Poderi Luigi Einaudi and Giacomo Fenocchio.

All across the subregion, stunning hills design a picturesque landscape of tidy vineyards that dramatically change color according to the season and the light. Grapes are grown at elevations between 550 and 1,300 feet (200 to 400 meters). Barolo is a beautiful place to visit, even for those without a passion for wine.