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Barolo

Piedmont

The undisputed king of Italian wine, produced exclusively from Nebbiolo on the hillsides of eleven communes south of Alba. Barolo DOCG covers around 2,100 hectares and is divided into 181 Menzioni Geografiche Aggiuntive (MGAs), each with distinct soil and exposure. The western communes (La Morra, Barolo) sit on Tortonian marl, producing elegant, perfumed wines. The eastern communes (Serralunga d'Alba, Monforte d'Alba, Castiglione Falletto) have older Helvetian sandstone soils, giving more structured, tannic wines built for long ageing.

The wines of Barolo are made primarily from Arneis, Barbera, Cortese and other Piedmont varieties.

185–541 m

Elevation range

red

Wine styles

170 MGAs

Avg. slope 11.6°

Vineyard Map

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Terroir & Character

Climate

Continental with mild Mediterranean influence. Warm summers with significant diurnal temperature variation. Autumn fog is common in the valley floors, while hillside vineyards enjoy better drainage and sun exposure. South and southwest-facing slopes are most prized.

Terroir

Tortonian marlHelvetian sandstoneCalcareous clayLimestone

Two distinct geological formations define Barolo. The western communes (La Morra, Barolo, Novello) sit on younger Tortonian marls: blue-grey calcareous clay that produces elegant, perfumed wines. The eastern communes (Serralunga d'Alba, Monforte d'Alba, Castiglione Falletto) have older Helvetian sandstone with more calcium and less clay, yielding structured, powerful wines with firmer tannins.

Typical Aromas

tarrosecherrytruffleleatherdried herbs
Explore the aroma wheel

Grapes of Piedmont

Arneis

White
Body
Sweetness
Acidity
pearpeachalmondwhite flowers

Piedmont's perfumed dry white from the sandy soils of Roero. White flowers, peach, pear, and almond, with a signature hint of bitter almond on the finish.

Barbera

Red
Body
Tannins
Sweetness
Acidity
cherryplumblack pepper

Piedmont's everyday red. Bright sour cherry and red berry on soaring acidity and soft tannin; Asti shows lift, Alba brings depth from Nebbiolo's nearby slopes.

Cortese

White
Body
Sweetness
Acidity
green applepearlemonelderflower

The Gavi DOCG grape. Lemon, green apple, and white flowers over pronounced minerality and crisp acidity, with a signature touch of almond on the finish.

Dolcetto

Red
Body
Tannins
Sweetness
Acidity
black cherryplumalmondlicorice

Piedmont's everyday red. Black cherry, plum, and violet over low acid and soft tannin, with a bitter-almond finish; Dogliani gives the most structured, age-worthy version.

Montepulciano

Red
Body
Tannins
Sweetness
Acidity
plumblack cherryblackberryoregano

Minor planting, used in some local blends

Moscato

White
Body
Sweetness
Acidity
peachapricotorange blossomlychee

Sweet, lightly sparkling Moscato d'Asti

Nebbiolo

Red
Body
Tannins
Sweetness
Acidity
cherryplumroseviolet

Pale garnet, fierce tannin, soaring acidity. The famous nose of tar and roses sits over cherry and liquorice; Barolo brings power and grip, Barbaresco drinks earlier.

Frequently Asked Questions

What grapes grow in Barolo?▼
The main grapes in Barolo (Piedmont) include Arneis, Barbera, Cortese, Dolcetto.
How many MGAs does Barolo have?▼
Barolo has 170 officially delimited Menzioni Geografiche Aggiuntive (MGAs).
What soils are found in Barolo?▼
Barolo sits on tortonian marl, helvetian sandstone, calcareous clay, limestone soils, which contribute to the distinctive character of its wines.

Map data: Manual tracing, Piemonte cadastre · Imagery: Sentinel-2 cloudless by EOX IT Services GmbH (CC BY 4.0)