# Langhe Nebbiolo DOC (2016)

- **Producer:** Giuseppe Rinaldi
- **Colour:** red
- **Type:** still
- **Grapes:** Nebbiolo
- **Region:** Piemonte, Italy
- **Style:** Classic
- **Alcohol:** 14.0%
- **Average price:** €150
- **When to drink:** Now or Later
- **Serving temperature:** 16–18 °C
- **Aromas & flavours:** blueberry, wild plum, red cherry, red plum

## About this wine

The Langhe Nebbiolo DOC by Giuseppe Rinaldi is a distinguished red wine from the Langhe region of Piedmont, Italy, made from 100% Nebbiolo. The Rinaldi estate, a benchmark for traditional Barolo, crafts this wine using grapes from younger vines within their prestigious Barolo crus, such as Ravera. This approach allows for an earlier-drinking yet structurally sound expression of their renowned terroir. The 2016 vintage benefited from ideal growing conditions, yielding a wine of elegance and depth. The Rinaldi family's winemaking philosophy emphasizes minimal intervention, respecting the land and allowing the Nebbiolo grape to express its full potential through traditional methods.

## Interesting facts

- Grapes for this Langhe Nebbiolo come from younger vines within Rinaldi's top Barolo crus.
- Giuseppe Rinaldi is a staunch traditionalist, using indigenous yeasts and long macerations.
- The estate practices organic viticulture, though it is uncertified.
- The 2016 vintage saw some hail damage in the Brunate vineyard, impacting production.

## Food pairing

The wine's high acidity and firm tannins are ideal for cutting through the richness of fatty meats and proteins, while its complex fruit and earthy notes complement slow-cooked dishes and game. The wine's structure can stand up to robust flavors and textures.

## Wine making process

Giuseppe Rinaldi employs a highly traditional winemaking approach for their Langhe Nebbiolo. Grapes are fermented with indigenous yeasts in open-top wooden vats, followed by extended maceration periods to extract the full potential of the Nebbiolo varietal. The wine then undergoes aging for approximately 18 months in large, neutral Slavonian oak casks ('botti'). This method emphasizes purity of fruit, structure, and the expression of terroir, reflecting the estate's commitment to time-honored winemaking practices.