Barolo versus Barbaresco

[JoostB]

Dear Andrea,

The differences between Barolo and Barbaresco is of course the zone of production. Besides there are some slightly differences in regulations. But in essence there Barolo and Barbaresco have a lot in common... And in blind tastings it is not always so easy to determinate whether it is Barolo of Barbaresco. Most of the difference will be because of the Terroir of course.

Can you tell what in essence are the differences between Barolo and Barbaresco? How do you distinguish a Barolo of a Barbaresco?

Santé,
Joost

[Andrea Sottimano]

Dear Joost,

I think I've answered to a similar question in another thread, but, anyway, generally ( and I want to clear that this is GENERALLY...)A Barbaresco has a little more elegance than Barolo, which is normally a little more austereand tannic.
However, I suggest to anyone interested to know something more about our zone to focus the attention not on the difference between Barolo and Barbaresco, but on the single towns of which is composed.
It's not easy and it requires far more efforts, but, as it is for Burgundy, I can assure to you that it will give you a more exact idea of our terroirs, and great fun, too!

Try, in the future, when you will taste a Barolo or a Barbaresco, to don't look only at this difference, but take note also of the town from where it comes from, for example, Neive or Barbaresco or Monforte or La Morra, and try to figure out which notes you find typical of a certain zone.

You will be surprised when you will note similar tastes in zone like Neive or LaMorra or Treiso and Castiglion Falletto, and I hope you will agree with me that the differences are not so easy as it could be only within Barolo and Barbaresco, but more multylayered, and you will understand why so often our zone is mentioned togheter with Burgundy for its multiples terroirs.

Ciao, Andrea