De Forville Langhe Nebbiolo

De Forville Langhe Nebbiolo is a 100% Nebbiolo red wine from Piedmont's Langhe DOC, bottled at 14% ABV in a standard 750ml format. Sourced from younger vines in the Barbaresco and Neive communes, this wine channels the character of prestigious Barbaresco vineyards at a significantly more approachable price point — a quality recognized by Wine Review Online critic Vince Simmon, who called the 2020 vintage "another outstanding wine with an under-$30 price tag."

Quick Facts: ABV: 14%  |  Origin: Langhe DOC, Piedmont, Italy  |  Varietal: 100% Nebbiolo  |  Producer: De Forville (Est. 1860)

Production & Heritage

Casa Vinicola De Forville was founded in 1860 and is now run by the Anfosso family, whose vineyards sit at the border of the Barolo and Barbaresco districts. The Langhe Nebbiolo is fermented in stainless steel for 10 to 14 days, preserving the grape's aromatic freshness, then aged for an additional year in large oak barrels — a traditional Piedmontese approach that softens tannins without overwhelming the fruit. Rather than blending or declassifying lesser lots, the Anfosso family bottles fruit from their younger Barbaresco and Neive vines under the Langhe DOC designation, giving this wine a direct lineage to some of Piedmont's most celebrated terroir.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: The nose opens with ripe red raspberry and sour cherry, then unfolds into delicate violet, white pepper, and subtle earthy undertones. A thread of crushed rock minerality runs through the bouquet, adding complexity beyond its weight class.

Taste: The entry is bright and fruit-forward, led by red cherries and wild berries. At mid-palate, balanced tannins emerge alongside loganberry and dried bark flavors, while hints of rose petal and spice add a distinctly Nebbiolo-like structure. The wine is dry with a well-integrated tannic grip that reflects both the varietal and the year spent in large oak.

Finish: Medium in length with a characteristic slightly bitter edge — a hallmark of well-made Nebbiolo. Lingering notes of plum skin, fertile soil, and gentle spice fade gracefully.

How to Drink De Forville Langhe Nebbiolo

Serve at 60–65°F with 20–30 minutes of decanting to let the aromas fully develop; this is a wine built for the table, best enjoyed alongside food. It pairs exceptionally well with braised short ribs, where its tannins cut through richness. Mushroom risotto mirrors the wine's earthy undertones. And aged Parmigiano-Reggiano draws out the cherry and spice notes on the palate.

Best For

• Weeknight Italian dinners that deserve a serious Nebbiolo without the Barolo price
• Introducing someone to the Nebbiolo grape before stepping up to Barbaresco or Barolo
• Gifting a Piedmont wine lover a reliable everyday bottle from a historic producer
• Pairing with fall and winter comfort dishes — braised meats, pasta with ragu, roasted game

Frequently Asked Questions

What does De Forville Langhe Nebbiolo taste like? It delivers sour cherry, red raspberry, and wild berry fruit layered with violet, white pepper, and an earthy mineral quality. Balanced tannins and a slightly bitter finish give it the structured, savory character Nebbiolo is known for.

How does De Forville Langhe Nebbiolo compare to Barbaresco? Both are 100% Nebbiolo from Piedmont, but Barbaresco requires longer aging (minimum 26 months) and comes from classified vineyards, resulting in greater complexity and higher cost. De Forville's Langhe Nebbiolo is sourced from younger vines in the same Barbaresco and Neive communes, offering a taste of similar terroir with more immediate drinkability and a lower price tier.

Is De Forville Langhe Nebbiolo good for beginners? Yes — its approachable fruit and moderate tannin structure make it an excellent entry point for anyone curious about Nebbiolo without the intensity or price of Barolo or Barbaresco.

Where is De Forville Langhe Nebbiolo made? It is produced by Casa Vinicola De Forville, a family estate founded in 1860, with vineyards in the Barbaresco and Neive communes within the Langhe DOC of Piedmont, northwestern Italy.

What foods pair well with De Forville Langhe Nebbiolo? Braised short ribs or osso buco match its tannic structure. Wild mushroom risotto complements its earthy undertones. Tajarin pasta with butter and sage lets the fruit shine. Roasted duck or quail echoes the wine's savory, slightly bitter finish. Aged hard cheeses like Parmigiano-Reggiano or Pecorino draw out its spice and cherry notes.

What sizes does De Forville Langhe Nebbiolo come in? It is widely available in the standard 750ml bottle format.

Is De Forville Langhe Nebbiolo worth the price? It positions as a value-tier Nebbiolo from a historic Piedmont producer, delivering varietal authenticity and Barbaresco-area terroir at a fraction of what classified Barbaresco or Barolo costs — a strong proposition for everyday drinking and casual entertaining.

Why De Forville Langhe Nebbiolo?

What separates this Langhe Nebbiolo from the crowded field is its direct connection to Barbaresco terroir. The Anfosso family doesn't source generic Nebbiolo from across the region; these grapes come from their own younger vines in Barbaresco and Neive, communes responsible for some of Italy's most celebrated reds. The traditional production — stainless steel fermentation followed by a full year in large oak — preserves varietal character while keeping the wine approachable in its youth. For anyone who appreciates Nebbiolo's distinctive combination of bright red fruit, tannic structure, and earthy complexity, De Forville's bottling from a 160-plus-year-old estate remains one of the category's most reliable values.