Nebbiolo is one of Italy's greatest grape varieties, producing wines with remarkable elegance, structure and longevity. Native to Piedmont in north-west Italy, it's the grape behind Barolo and Barbaresco, but it also shines in regions such as Roero, Gattinara and Alto Piemonte. Young Nebbiolo often combines bright cherry, raspberry and rose petal aromas with firm tannins and lively acidity, while age brings notes of dried flowers, leather, truffle, tobacco and spice.

Despite its reputation, Nebbiolo isn't always a wine to keep hidden away in the cellar. Alongside powerful, age-worthy bottles, there are plenty of fresher, more approachable expressions that show off the grape's perfume and finesse without decades of waiting. It remains one of the most distinctive red grapes in the world, pairing beautifully with rich Italian cooking, roasted meats, mushrooms and mature cheeses.