Roero, Italy

One of Alba's pride is Roero. Roero covers a small area in Alba, bounded to the south and east by the River Tanaro, to the north by the provincial boundary and to the west (roughly inside a line from Bra to Cellarengo) by the disappearance of suitable slopes. The old Turin-Alba Statale cuts through the middle: a slim valley with hills reaching 300-350 metres. rising up on either side. The prettier slopes are to the east, the western side is wilder and more rugged. This tour, progressing generally from north to south, loops across both side to give a broadly comprehensive view of the zone. Two hours should be sufficient to do it all justice.

Red Roero is made form Alba's leading grape, Nebbiolo. It is lighter and fruitier in style than the Nebbiolo reds of the Langhe further south, mainly because the Roero hills are less high and the soil's sandier, but also party because a tiny percentage of white Arneis is meant to be used alongside the Nebbiolo, generally weightier than Reoro and gentler than Barolo. Those Roero producers who make both wines tend to make their Reoro fro early drinking and the Nebbiolo d' Alba for ageing a little longer.

While Arneis is also produced on its own, in Roero Arneis. This variety became quite fashionable in Piedmont as growers gloried in a native grape thaty, with coaxing \, produced a refinded, lightly perfumed, dry white wine with ageing potential. Encouraging results have also been achieved with Arnies in the Langhe but most remain convinced that it does best north of the Tanaro. The other white grape of note is Favorita. It provokes mixed reactions, however. Some really enjoy its light, perfumed, easy-drinking, floral style; others regard it as slight and forgettable.

Reoro also lies within the area of Barbera d' Alba and a small outcrop of the Asti DOCG area surrounds the village of Santa Vittoria d' Alba, in the south of the zone.