Barolo Wine – Why It’s an Experience You Need to Try

Barolo is the king of Italian wines for many reasons.

It’s one of the country’s oldest and most renowned red wines. Served to nobles for centuries, Barolo encapsulates everything that makes the Italian wine industry so special. Every single bottle is crafted to deliver an irresistible experience.

And we think it’s about time you tried that experience.

Though Barolo is such a wonderful wine, many drinkers have yet to sample all of its delights. Hopefully, we’ll change that with this article as we explain why Barolo is an experience that you need to try.

Reason No. 1 – Bracing Acidity

Many people who are new to Italian red wines are wary of Barolo because it doesn’t offer the same smoothness as more accessible examples, such as Tignanello. Instead, Barolo is more tannic, in addition to offering a higher acidity than you’re likely used to from your red wines. Through in a slight note of tar and there’s no denying that Barolo is considered an acquired taste.

But it is a taste worth acquiring.

Barolo’s acidity can actually make it a good bridge into Italian red wine for those who typically prefer white wines. It also lends the wine a completely unique quality that you won’t find in other Italian reds. As such, Barolo is an excellent choice if you’re searching for something a little different and more challenging.

Reason No. 2 – A Deep History

Barolo is so much more than an Italian wine.

It’s a wine that’s instrumental to the development of the Italian wine industry. For centuries, the Nebbiolo grape used to make this wine was a favourite of nobles and royalty. But it wasn’t until the early-1800s that the Barolo we know today took its true form.

And that’s where things get interesting.

The person behind the solidification of what Barolo is was the Count of Cavour. If you’ve heard that title before it’s likely because this very same count was responsible for the Italian Unifications. He found time to determine what makes a proper Barolo while uniting an entire country.

But he didn’t do it alone.

The count worked alongside a French oenologist names Luis Odart, who worked tirelessly to tame the Nebbiolo grape. Odart also introduced the count to the Marchioness of Barolo, who gave her name to the resulting wine. In a way, Barolo helped the count in his unification efforts, making it an extremely important wine from a historical perspective.

Reason No. 3 – The Unlikely Food Pairings

One of the main challenges many face when trying Barolo is pairing it with appropriate foods. The wine’s interesting flavours often make it a difficult match, though it tends to pair well with red meats and similarly rich foods.

But those same seemingly inaccessible qualities also mean Barolo leaves lots of room for experimentation.

Do you want an example?

Salt ice cream.

On the face of it, salt ice cream seems like a terrible pairing for a red wine. The smoothness of the cream shouldn’t blend well with the wine’s tannins, which should be particularly the case with a tannic wine like Barolo. And yet, the combination works wonderfully. The ice cream helps to soften the harsh acidity while bringing Barolo’s flavours to the fore.

It’s an experiment gone wonderfully right. And as you explore Barolo, you will likely find many similar examples of pairings that don’t seem to make sense until you try them. Your tastebuds will be the true judge, even if you can’t wrap your mind around the pairing.

Reason No. 4 – Stunning Ageing Potential

We often speak about ageing and Italian wine. Though many believe that all wines benefit from ageing, some are better consumed young. This is especially the case for wines that don’t have strong tannins that require softening.

Of course, Barolo is an extremely tannic wine.

As such, it benefits immensely from being stored safely in a dark and cool climate. If you give Barolo the time it needs for its tannins to soften, you’ll be repaid with one of the most mature and elegant wine tasting experiences of your life. Patience is a virtue. And when it comes to Barolo, patience will help you to access the wine’s best qualities.

Reason No. 5 – Enormous Variety

Variety is one of the biggest advantages the Italian wine industry has over its competitors. With dozens of wine regions creating thousands of wines, there is always something new to find.

But what you may not realize is that variety can be found within a single type of wine.

Barolo is an excellent example. Though its production is restricted to a single region, there are over 180 producers in that region. And each has slightly different soil and geographic conditions to adapt to. These varied micro-climates ensure that no Barolo tastes quite like any other version of the drink. It also means that you can explore different producers until you find a Barolo that matches your palate.

This variety is buoyed by the many approaches Barolo producers take. This is especially the case whenever a new generation begins bringing their ideas to the production process. Barolo has evolved several times over the years, with each new idea bringing with it some variations in the wine that often appeal to international palates. Even if you don’t like Barolo today, that’s no guarantee that you won’t like it in 10 years.

Experiment With Barolo

Barolo is one of the most complex wines that Italy has to offer. It’s also one of its most storied, with the wine’s deep history playing a part in the very formation of the country. This depth of character is what makes Barolo such a wonderful wine to experience.

Better yet, no two Barolo wines are the same. Though they may share qualities, they will always have differences that inspire you to try other examples.

That’s where we come in.

At Xtrawine, we pride ourselves on maintaining an extensive collection of Barolo wines. Explore today to find the latest addition to your collection.