Once again, we return to Piedmont to narrate the "white" side of the region, which is the less explored and famous one, but we assure you, it always brings great satisfaction. After exploring Gavi and cortese, we move from the province of Alessandria to that of Cuneo, specifically in Roero. This is the hilly area along the left bank of the Tanaro, named after the ancient noble family that owned its fiefdom right here. On these loose, sometimes sandy soils, Nebbiolo has found a home, of course, but also an indigenous white grape, Arneis.
Like many other indigenous grape varieties in our country, Arneis was at risk of disappearing from the Italian ampelographic palette: in the 1970s, only a couple of winemakers were still vinifying and bottling it. Then, slowly but surely, it emerged from the crowded Piedmontese wine scene. Producers started to believe in it, and today, it is one of the most established whites in the region, with its characteristic hint of almond. It has had DOC recognition since 1989.
The Roero Arneis with the best quality-price ratio for the Berebene 2024 guide
Finding excellent Roero Arneis for less than 20 euros per bottle is not too difficult, and we demonstrate this with the following list. These are the best wines of this type reviewed in the Gambero Rosso Berebene 2024 guide with a rating above 90 points and costing less than 20 euros. By perusing the guide, it's easy to notice that, in the case of Roero Arneis, high quality often goes hand in hand with affordability.
Roero Arneis 2022 by Filippo Gallino: On the nose, it highlights aromas of ripe white fruit and white pepper, followed by a fresh and lively palate, with a long finish characterized by citrus notes and aromatic herbs. The winery, founded by Filippo Gallino in 1961, is now led by his children Laura and Gianni and has several vineyards, mostly located on the clayey-sandy soils typical of the region.
Roero Arneis Arajs 2021 by Pedemontis: On the nose, it presents notes of yellow fruit, aromatic herbs, and white flowers, with a fresh, long, and substantial palate. The Pedemontis agricultural company has committed to viticulture in recent years, producing a small range of wines in Roero. Committed to sustainable agriculture, it has 13 hectares of vineyards in the municipalities of Magliano Alfieri, Castellinaldo, Priocca, and Govone.
Roero Arneis Cecu d'la Biunda 2022 by Monchiero Carbone: With hints of fresh citrus, cedar, and chalk on the nose, it follows with a balanced, lively, salty palate, and a long finish returning to citrus tones. The Monchiero family's winery has several owned vineyards in the municipalities of Canale, Vezza d'Alba, Monteu Roero, and Priocca, cultivating traditional grapes such as Arneis, Barbera, and Nebbiolo.
Roero Arneis San Michele 2022 by Fabrizio Battaglino: The nose offers hints of white fruit and aromatic herbs, while the palate has citrus tones, is salty, lively, and refreshing. Fabrizio Battaglino's winery has owned vineyards in Vezza d'Alba, where they cultivate Arneis and Nebbiolo in the MGAs Bastia and Colla, in Canale, where they cultivate Arneis in the MGA San Michele, and in Guarene, where they cultivate Barbera on the Montebello hill.
Roero Arneis Seminari 2022 by Stefanino Costa: It highlights scents of cedar and orange zest on the nose, with a consistent, fresh, lively palate, and good tension. The Costa family's vineyards are located in the municipalities of Canale, Montà, and Santo Stefano Roero, on predominantly sandy soils, between 350 and 400 meters in altitude, featuring the classic grape varieties of the region, from Arneis to Nebbiolo, Barbera to Brachetto.
Roero Arneis V. Bricco Novara 2022 by Bric Castelvej Gallino Domenico: the nose reveals floral, citrusy, and chalky tones, while the palate is consistent, salty, and long. Bric Castelvej is managed by Mario Repellino and his son Cristiano, with 15 hectares of vineyards in Canale, on the classic sandy soils of Roero with inserts of silt and calcareous clays. The cultivated grapes are the traditional ones of this region: Arneis, Barbera, and Nebbiolo.
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