This wine, says Falletti, was called 'Barolo.' It was a wine so superb, that it allegedly later inspired King Carlo Alberto di Savoia to purchase the estates of Verduno and Roddi for wine production. He enlisted the help of Frenchman Louis Oudart as his oenologist (winemaking expert), who was able to ferment the Nebbiolo completely dry, making the first modern Barolo.Ī noblewoman named Giulietta Falletti, Marchioness of Barolo - also enlisting help from Louis Oudart for her vast estate in La Morra, Serralunga d'Alba, and Barolo - developed a Bordeaux-style wine which attracted the attention of King Carlo Alberto di Savoia. The truth of who made the first dry Barolo can be left to sober debate, but one story begins in the mid-1800s, when Camillo Benso, Count of Cavour (also a leader of the movement for Italian unification), saw an opportunity to modernize his family’s estate in Grinzane by improving the wine-making technique and introducing a monoculture of vines. By November and December, temperatures in Piemonte would be cool enough to halt fermentation, leaving a substantial amount of sugar in the wine. This was because the Nebbiolo grape ripens in late October when temperatures are steadily dropping.

Prior to the mid-1800s, Barolo was drastically different, made in a richly sweet and fruity style. Traditionally, Barolo is a dry wine, heavy in acidity, tannins, and alcohol. While the Nebbiolo grape has a history that dates back to the 13 th century, the word 'Barolo' didn’t start making an appearance on labels until the mid-19 th century, around the same time glass bottles were introduced to the region (before that, it was a cask-only wine). Known around the world as “the king of wines,” Barolo is a timeless wine with a history as rich as its nickname. Discover the story of Barolo, then stop by your local store or shop wine online to pick up a bottle! WHAT'S IN A NAME?

The scenic region sits in the foothills of the Alps in northwestern Italy in fact, the mountainous soil that nurtures the vines of the Nebbiolo is what gives this wine its distinct characteristics. The most prestigious expression of the Nebbiolo grape, Barolo wine hails from a village of the same name located in the region of Piemonte.

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