Do you, or does someone you know, suffer from moderate to severe nebbiolo deficiency?
Ask your doctor if Langhe Nebbiolo™ is right for you.
Warning: some users have reported side effects such as moderate to severely increased savings, slight decreases in wine quality, cottonmouth (THE GOOD KIND!), dry eyes, a chubbier wallet, and in rare cases, death.
GIVE IT TO ME STRAIGHT, DOC, HOW MUCH DO I HAVE TO SPEND?
Langhe Nebbiolo offers a “refreshing” escape from the wallet crushing prices of Barolo or Barbaresco. But what does this mean for you and your loved ones? Well, it means you won’t have to become as much poorer (LIKE ME!) each time you have a hankering for nebbiolo.
Wines labeled as Langhe Nebbiolo come from the same broad region as their more expensive counterparts – in fact, in many cases the grapes even come from within the bounds of those very communes – but they typically undergo shorter periods of aging (LIKE TODAY’S YOUTH) and less stringent production requirements, including the option for winemakers to include a portion of Dolcetto or Barbera in the blend (though this isn’t particularly common). They are also often made with grapes from younger vines that may not yet be suitable for Barolo or Barbaresco, which is one of the reasons they are often less complex and concentrated.
But while the resultant wines tend not to be quite as high in quality as their prestigious brothers in arms, they can still be “a good time,” and most importantly – scratch the ole’ nebbiolo itch at a discount.
By comparison, Langhe Nebbiolo is ready to drink early (LIKE ME!), and offers a more “approachable” tasting experience for consumers seeking immediate enjoyment of this esteemed Piedmontese staple. They tend to be lighter bodied than Barolo or Barbaresco, with softer tannins and more fruit-forward profiles. So if you are just starting to dip your gnarled little toes into the proverbial waters of nebbiolo, there’s no better place to begin your journey.
A little “table” to “help” you “understand” the “differences” between the “styles”
Much like Barolo and Barbaresco, Langhe Nebbiolo is a versatile wine that pairs effectively with a wide variety of foods. But consumers who tend to shy away from tannin-forward wines (YOU KNOW WHO YOU ARE) might find that the softer tannins in youth make it more readily enjoyed a-la-carte. In other words, the specific culinary pairings that might be expected of more “structured wines” can take a day off.
Here’s the short and narrow or w.e. – consumers can experience the distinctive aromatic “complexity” and “character” of nebbiolo “grapes” at a more affordable “price,” making it a practical “choice” (LIKE WE HAVE ANY) for regular consumption (LIKE WHAT KILLED PEEPAW). For wine enthusiasts who appreciate nebbiolo (LIKE ME) but seek a balance between cost, accessibility, and versatility, Langhe Nebbiolo represents a practical (UNLIKE ME) option.
Profile: Cherry yogurt, plum skin, charred wood, dried rose petals, copper penny, petrichor, bay leaf, baseball glove Palate: Dry, high acid, high tannin, medium+ body, medium+ finish
Aromatically the La Sacrestia Langhe Nebbiolo read above its price point. It featured a lot of interesting layers, no doubt enhanced by the years it has had to develop in the bottle. Unfortunately, upon sipping, what the enticing and layered aromatics seemed to promise were not fully delivered on. The concentration was a little lacking, and the balance was off, with sharp acidity and notably less depth to the flavor than expected. Nonetheless, it was an enjoyable wine to try and offers an opportunity to taste a nebbiolo with some age on it at a discount.
Profile: Raspberry, red cherry, cranberry, plum, roses, oyster shell, wet stone, orange peel, cola, chocolate, dried herbs Palate: Dry, high tannin, medium body, medium+ acid, long finish
Classic young nebbiolo, but with a softer, “rounder” and a more approachable mouthfeel than its Barolo and Barbaresco counterparts due to its softer tannins and slightly less harsh acidity in its youth. It’s dominated by ripe red fruits, floral notes, ample minerality, subtle spice and herbaceous character.
Profile: Strawberry & raspberry yogurt, toffee, thyme, wet stone Palate: Dry, high acid, high tannin, medium- body, long finish
This wine was simple and straightforward. It was fairly well balanced, but did not have much dimensionality, dominated by flavors of ripe red berry yogurt and toffee, with just a hint of dried herbs and minerality hiding in the shadows. The concentration was similarly slightly lacking, but the finish was surprisingly long and it drank significantly better on day 2. If this profile sounds like your cup of tea and you have the patience for it, let it breathe for a day before diving in too deep. Otherwise, my take is you can do better for the price.
Profile: Cranberry, strawberry, pomegranate, roses, violets, ginger, tobacco, mushroom, copper penny, licorice, mixed spice, cocoa Palate: Dry, high tannin, medium body, high acid, long finish
Another textbook “expression” of nebbiolo, showcasing the grape's signature high acidity (very high in this case) and “firm” astringent tannins, making it an ideal companion for rich cuisine to temper the high acidity and structure. Even after just 4 years of bottle age, this has a more developed profile than the Silvio Grasso with emerging tertiary aromas of tobacco and mushroom along with the tart red fruits and floral notes. While approachable now, the structure on this wine suggests potential for further improvement with further bottle aging.
Langhe Nebbiolo™—because you deserve the illusion of financial responsibility while still drinking Nebbiolo on a Tuesday. Ask your local wine doc if it’s right for you.
If symptoms of extreme satisfaction persist, do not seek medical attention. Just open another bottle.
Until next time, HAPPY DRINKING PEOPLE.
Cheers! Isaac & Zach
Tannic Panic! suffers from severe Nebbiopinia. SUBSCRIBE
