The Roero Arneis DOCG, located in north-western Italy's Piedmont region, is Roero's white sibling made from the highly perfumed Arneis variety. Its name derives from the grape from which it is made, meaning 'little rascal' in the Piemontese dialect. Historically, this variety was difficult to grow (hence its name), which might have been due to the fact that the best vineyards were focused on growing Nebbiolo, leaving the less-favorable sites to Arneis. However, its rediscovery in the late 19th century has brought the grape back into the limelight and it is now considered one of Piedmont's success stories.
Although grown elsewhere in the region, Arneis thrives in the unique terroir of Roero. It has adapted well to the chalky and sandy soils of the area, which tend to yield wines with more acidity and structure. According to regulations, this white must be made from pure Arneis and aged for a minimum of eight months. It can be made in both a still or spumante style.
The wine's trademark is its exotic perfume and elegance. Generally regarded as a dry, crisp wine, it offers aromas of white flowers with an underlying minerality, followed by fresh flavors of apples, pears and apricots with nuances of hazelnuts and almonds. Despite its delicate nature, it is full bodied with a notable persistence and a soft finish.
