Level 2 · Wine & Spirits Exam Prep
Italian Red Wines: Piedmont
Barolo, Barbaresco, Barbera and the noble Nebbiolo.
Topics covered
- Nebbiolo and Barolo
- Barbaresco
- Barbera d'Asti
- Dolcetto
Level 2 Study Guide
Bordeaux-Style Reds
Quick Revision
- Barolo: Nebbiolo, very tannic, "tar and roses"
- Barbaresco: Nebbiolo, more approachable than Barolo
- Barbera: high acid, low tannin, red cherry
- Dolcetto: dry red (despite the name!)
- Moscato d'Asti: sweet, light sparkling
- "King of Italian wines" = Barolo
Key Facts for the Exam
- Barolo: DOCG, made from Nebbiolo; full body, very high tannin, high acidity; tar, roses, red fruit, leather
- Barolo called "the king of Italian wines" — requires 3 years ageing (5 for Riserva)
- Barbaresco: DOCG, also Nebbiolo; slightly lighter and more approachable than Barolo; requires 2 years ageing
- Barbera d'Asti/Alba: high acidity, low tannin, deep colour; red cherry, plum; more everyday drinking
- Dolcetto: low acidity, soft tannins, dark colour; fruity — despite its name (little sweet), it is DRY
- Moscato d'Asti: DOCG; lightly sparkling (frizzante), low alcohol sweet white from Muscat Bianco
Level 2 Exam Tips
- 1.Barolo = Nebbiolo = "tar and roses" aroma profile. This combination is the classic tasting note.
- 2.Barolo vs Barbaresco: Barolo is bigger, needs more ageing; Barbaresco is more approachable.
- 3.Barbera = high acidity + low tannin (unusual combination for a red); very food-friendly.
- 4.Dolcetto means "little sweet" but the wine is DRY — a common exam trick question.
Common Exam Mistakes
- ✗Thinking Dolcetto is sweet because of its name — it is a dry red wine
- ✗Confusing Barolo and Barbaresco both being made from Nebbiolo — they are, but different in style
- ✗Saying Barbera has high tannin — it has notably LOW tannin and HIGH acidity
Frequently Asked Questions
- What makes Barolo so special?
- Barolo is made from Nebbiolo, one of Italy's most demanding grape varieties. It has very high tannins and acidity combined with complex aromas of tar, roses, red cherries, and leather. It requires significant bottle ageing to soften and reveal its complexity. Top Barolos from the Langhe hills of Piedmont rival Burgundy Grand Crus in prestige and price.