For any sommelier, wine enthusiast or trader, the London Wine Competitions prove to be an excellent reference point to help professionals in the field stay up to date on the best wines emerging from different regions and countries. Even so for difficult varieties such as the Nebbiolo, which has a strong hold in Italy, The London Wine Competitions 2024, witnessed some fine wines and honoured the best Nebbiolos from Italy and Australia, predominantly.

Unique Characteristics of Nebbiolo Wine

Nebbiolo, a grape variety indigenous to Northern Italy’s Piedmont region, is celebrated for producing some of the most powerful and complex wines in the world. Known for its high levels of acidity and tannins, Nebbiolo can be quite austere in its youth, but these characteristics also give the wine its remarkable ageing potential. Young Nebbiolo wines typically showcase vibrant flavours of cherry, plum, and strawberry, accompanied by floral aromas like rose and violet. With time, the wine's tannins soften, and the colour shifts to a brick-red hue, while the flavour profile deepens, developing nuanced notes of dried fruit, leather, licorice, and earthy elements like mushrooms and truffle. This evolution makes Nebbiolo wines particularly prized for long-term cellaring, as they continue to gain complexity and richness with age.

The Best Nebbiolos from London Wine Competitions 2024 

1. Barolo DOCG Luigi Bosca, Gold Medal (93 Points)

Barolo DOCG Luigi Bosca, a standout 2019 vintage from Bosca S.p.A. in Italy, impresses with its rich aroma of black fruit, complemented by notes of leather, rose petals, and tar. The palate is filled with dark berries and plums, balanced by earthy and savoury undertones. Soft and elegant tannins lead to a long, satisfying finish, making this Barolo a well-deserved recipient of the Best in Show by Country and Best in Show by Varietal awards at the London Wine Competition 2024.

Image Title & Source: Barolo DOCG Luigi Bosca

2. Sordo Barolo DOCG Perno 2019, Gold Medal (92 Points)

Sordo Barolo DOCG Perno 2019, produced by Sordo Giovanni Azienda Agricola in Italy, is celebrated for its expressive nose, where notes of rose petals, tar, and liquorice dominate. The palate reveals concentrated flavours of sour cherries and plums, offering a medium body with balanced acidity and a medium finish. This vintage captures the essence of Nebbiolo, delivering a wine that is both powerful and nuanced.

Image Title & Source: Sordo Barolo DOCG Perno 2019

3. Nebbiolo - Marchese d'Azeglio - La Lomellina, Silver Medal (88 Points)

Nebbiolo - Marchese d'Azeglio - La Lomellina, a 2019 vintage from Marinaged Wines in Italy, offers a complex nose that intertwines red fruit aromas with notes of red roses and earthy components. This full-bodied wine showcases the depth and richness typical of Nebbiolo, concluding with a long, enduring finish. 

Image Title & Source: Nebbiolo - Marchese d'Azeglio - La Lomellina

4. Freebird McLaren Vale Nebbiolo, Silver Medal (82 Points)

Freebird McLaren Vale Nebbiolo, a 2020 vintage from Serafino in Australia, is a silver medal-winning wine known for its ripe red fruit aromas. On the palate, this dry wine delivers concentrated flavours of ripe red fruits and liquorice, accompanied by soft tannins and medium acidity. This Nebbiolo offers a balanced and approachable profile, capturing the essence of the varietal in a way that is both flavourful and accessible.

Image Title & Source: Freebird McLaren Vale Nebbiolo

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Top Nebbiolo Producing Regions

The nebbiolo grape variety is notoriously challenging to cultivate outside its native Italy. Despite attempts by winemakers in countries like the United States, Australia, and Argentina, replicating the legendary quality of Nebbiolo wines from northwest Italy has proven difficult. While these regions have made strides, Italy remains the undisputed home of Nebbiolo, particularly in its prestigious Piedmont region.

Italy

Italy's Piedmont region is the epicentre of Nebbiolo production, where the grape thrives in the foothills of the Alps. This area, with its rocky slopes and calcareous marl soils, provides the perfect conditions for cultivating Nebbiolo. The grape is most famously associated with Barolo and Barbaresco, two of Italy's most prestigious wine denominations. Beyond Barolo and Barbaresco, Nebbiolo is also grown in the surrounding hills of Alba, producing wines like Langhe Nebbiolo and Nebbiolo d’Alba. The variety extends its reach to northern Piedmont, in areas like Gattinara, and even further north to Valtellina in Lombardy, where the steep, south-facing slopes continue to yield high-quality Nebbiolo wines.

Australia

Australia’s experience with Nebbiolo has proven to be strenuous as well. However, as winemakers explored cooler climate regions, more successful examples of Nebbiolo emerged. Victoria’s King Valley and the Adelaide Hills have become known for producing quality Nebbiolo wines. Research suggests that areas like the Mornington Peninsula and Margaret River share climatic similarities with Piedmont’s Langhe region, offering potential for Nebbiolo cultivation. Regions like Bendigo, the Clare Valley, and Mudgee are also being explored for their Nebbiolo potential. Today, Australia boasts hundreds of Nebbiolo wines, with styles ranging from light and delicate to dark and robust, predominantly from Victoria’s north-east and South Australia, particularly the Adelaide Hills.

United States

In the United States, Nebbiolo’s journey began in California during the 19th century. Today, Nebbiolo plantings in California are scattered, primarily in the Central Valley, a region traditionally known for jug wines. Modern efforts to produce higher-quality Nebbiolo wines have faced challenges, particularly in finding the ideal sites that mimic the grape’s native conditions. While the grape has shown promise, vintners are still experimenting with different sites to determine the best growing conditions. Some winemakers have begun blending Nebbiolo with other varieties like Dolcetto and Syrah to enhance its appeal.

The wine industry is ever evolving, with new varietals and brands one upping each other every year. To stay on top of the changing trends, take a look at all the winners from the London Wine Competitions 2024.

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