The dolcetto dilemmaÂ
Nebbiolo may be the king of grapes in the Langhe where Barolo and Barbaresco are made, but the dolcetto grape has even deeper historical roots in the region.
Steve Blandford
Barolo and Barbaresco new vintage releases at Grandi Langhe 2025
Steve Blandford’s Barolo and Barbaresco new releases report for this year is not drawn from the broader range, scattergun tasting afforded by Nebbiolo Prima but from a selection of tasting opportunities attended during the first few months of this year.
Dogliani special
Chionetti Dogliani DOCG Briccolero 2022, Piedmont, AUD $40
Finesse and power
Massolino Parussi Barolo DOCG 2021, Piedmont, Italy
Charming Barolo
Elvio Cogno Cascina Nuova Barolo DOCG 2021, Piedmont, AUD $140-$150
Retrospective revelations
At each year’s Nebbiolo Prima event, the organisers arrange a supplementary retrospective tasting that celebrates the tenth year anniversary from release of the wines being presented.
Top Brezza Barolo
Brezza Barolo DOCG Cannubi 2020, Italy, AUD $150.00
Floral finesse
Giuseppe Nada Barbaresco DOCG Casot 2021, Italy, AUD $89.95
Nebbiolo Prima 2024
In late January, it was for the fourth consecutive year that Steve Blandford attended Nebbiolo Prima in Alba, Piemonte, the most significant pre-release tasting event for the new vintage Barolo, Barbaresco and Roero DOCG wines.
A Sicilian adventure
When Steve Blandford was recently invited to tour parts of Sicily, he was looking forward to the opportunity to meet some winemakers. He had not anticipated the likelihood of meeting his own maker.