Nebbiolo

TL; DR

Considered by many as the greatest red grape on earth, it combines power with delicacy

Who's famous for it?

Italy - Piedmont
USA - California, Washington
Australia - Adelaide Hills, Pyrenees

What does it taste like

Floral and wonderfully aromatic, and yet serious and powerful at the same time. Look for notes of red cherry and raspberry, intermingled with black pepper, tar, liquorice and earth. The level of tannins and acidity are always high in Italian versions, whilst new world examples can be a little softer.

Main styles it's known for

Italian examples have that bite of tannin, whereas the warmer climates of Australia and the USA express a much softer wine.

What food should you be pairing it with

Slow braised meats are definitely a thing here, with ragu and braised beef definitely in the mix. Any toothsome protein will be a good match with the tannins, but Australian versions can also be paired to burgers and simpler fare.

Fun fact

The name Nebbiolo comes from the Italian word "nebbia" which means fog. This is because during harvest, a deep, intense fog sets into the Piedmont region where many Nebbiolo vineyards are located.

If you like this, you should also give these grapes a guzzle...

Sangiovese, Cabernet Sauvignon