The Barolo zone is located in the Cuneo province of Italy about 7 miles south of the town of Alba. It’s located in a region known as the Langhe, which comprises both the zone where Barolo grapes are planted and the neighboring zone to the east of Alba where Barbaresco (a wine often considered Barolo’s younger brother) grapes are planted. Other wine grapes such as Barbera and Dolcetto are also planted in the Langhe region, but it is Barolo and Barbaresco that the area is most well known for.
The entire Barolo zone comprises 4,940 acres, divided across 11 communes (an Italian administrative division similar to American townships or municipalities). Of these communes, 3 of them are completely located within the Barolo region: Castiglione Falletto, Serralunga d’Alba, and the namesake commune of Barolo. Another 8 are partially located within the Barolo region: La Morra, Monforte d’Alba, Roddi, Verduno, Cherasco, Diano d’Alba, Novello, and Grinzane Cavour. In our future series on the Cru’s of Barolo, we’ll dive into a few of these communes in depth and talk about the differences in the wines of each region.
The entire region is a beautiful stretch of Italian countryside dotted by Medieval castles and towers. It’s also famous for a rich culinary culture that often highlights the local delicacy of black and white truffles, as well as the region’s game meats and unique pastas. The Serralunga Valley in the eastern side of the Barolo zone has soil rich in sand, iron, and limestone, producing rich wines that are a bit drier. The communes of Castiglione Falletto, Monforte d’Alba and Serralunga d’Alba are in this region. To the west, the Central Valley has soil that has a higher concentration of clay and manganese, producing more velvety and perfumed wines. This is where the commune of La Morra can be found, as well as the commune of Barolo. The town of Barolo itself is quite charming and well worth visiting, with beautiful views from the Castello Falletti in the center of town and various excellent enotecas dotting the quaint streets. Every true Barolo aficionado should make a trip to the region at some point, and our guide to the region can help you plan your trip.
