Often called the “King of Wines,” many consider Barolo to be Italy's greatest. It is made from Nebbiolo grapes grown in vineyards south of Alba, in the Piedmont region of Italy. After a long, slow fermentation the wine is aged for two years in oak and then kept in bottle for another year before release. Although drinkable now, Barolo is one of the longest living wines and can be cellared for decades.

The Barolo region sits between the Alps and the Mediterranean in the Langhe hills. The climate here is influenced by cool air descending from the mountains and warm air from the sea. Nebbiolo ripens best on the limestone, clay, and sandy soils on southern facing slopes. Nebbiolo is a challenge to grow, but centuries of farming by local families have created an expression of the grape unattainable anywhere else. Barolo is thought to be Italy’s answer to Burgundy in its ability to express the intricacies of terroir.