IL BAROLO
The King of wines, the wine of the King
The Nebbiolo grape
"The wines with denomination of controlled and guaranteed origin "Barolo” must be obtained from grapes coming from vineyards composed exclusively of the Nebbiolo grape."
History
It was the oenologist, General Staglieno, who introduced the fermentation method already used in France. Later, other innovations in winemaking came thanks to the suggestions of the oenologist Oudart, employed by Cavour, in turn acquaintance of the Marquise Giulia Colbert Falletti, who applied the new techniques to vinify the Nebbioli in suitable vineyard areas of Barolo, La Morra and in particular of Serralunga, where the best positions were.
Cavour's advice made it possible to obtain a dry wine, suitable for world markets and so noble as to be suitable for aging.
It is said that one day King Carlo Alberto asked Giulia Colbert if he could taste her famous Barolo and a few days later in via Nizza, in Turin, 325 carrà (a type of barrel used at the time) passed by, full of the precious wine coming from Serralunga d'Alba: one for each day of the year, except for Lent (the Marquises Falletti were reputed to be very religious).
1268
First reference to the Nebbiolo grape in the list of "Wines made by order of Castellano di Rivoli"
1305
First description of Nebbiolo by Pier de Crescenzi (Bolognese jurist) in "Ruralium Commodorum" (treatise on agriculture): "a black grape type called Nubiola ... which is wonderfully vinous ... and makes excellent wine".
1730
First historical reference in a London wine trade document for "Barol wine" to indicate wines from the Langhe municipality.
1966
recognition of the DOC
1980
recognition of the DOCG