📍 Roero

Roero is a hilly zone in north-western Italy, in the north-eastern corner of the province of Cuneo in Piedmont. It lies on the left bank of the Tanaro river, opposite the famous Langhe, where Barolo and Barbaresco are made. The soils here are sandy, so the wines come out softer and more aromatic than those of the neighbours. The name comes from the medieval Roero family of bankers and traders from Asti.

The main white wine is Roero Arneis: it is made from at least 95% Arneis and carries the top DOCG category. Arneis covers more than 800 hectares here, and a sparkling version is also made. The red "Roero" is Nebbiolo (at least 95%); it is aged for at least 20 months, six of them in wood, and the riserva for at least 32 months.

The Roero name became a DOC in 1985 and a DOCG in 2005. The area is part of Piedmont and covers communes around Canale, Corneliano d'Alba, Piobesi d'Alba and Vezza d'Alba.

Besides wine, the area is known for the peaches of Canale and the local Madernassa pear. Red Roero may include 2 to 5% of neutral red grapes, and the white may include up to 5% of other white Piedmont varieties.