Wine of the Week: 2010 Vietti Nebbiolo “Perbacco”

I’m impressed with this Nebbiolo from Barolo producer Vietti. Think of it more as a youthful cousin of Barolo, made with the same grape varietal, picked from vineyards in the Barolo region with an average vine age of 35 years. So this isn’t exactly young vines but a wonderfully structured, delicious Nebbiolo that doesn’t need the excuse of a big occasion for you to pop the cork.

Actually, this wine has the same vinification and aging as Vietti’s famed Barolo “Castiglione,” so it’s a real bargain at $30 and less. Complex and elegant, it’s supple enough to drink with a roast chicken or a hearty pasta dish, and will hold its own against anything from the grill too.

Region: Piedmont, Italy

Price: $24 to $30

Style: Medium-bodied, complex and elegant

What it goes with: Pasta dishes, roast chicken, barbecued meats, burgers

Where to find it: BestWinesOnline, (888) 817-8880, Hi-Time Wine Cellars in Costa Mesa, (949) 650-8463, Wally’s Wine & Spirits in West Los Angeles, (310) 475-0606, and the Wine House in West Los Angeles, (310) 479-3731.

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