Arneis: Langhe & Roero Arneis from small winemakers in Piedmont
At ONWINE you buy Arneis directly from the winemaker in Piedmont. Choose from Langhe Arneis DOC and Roero Arneis DOCG made by small family estates: fresh, floral white wines with character, delivered without middlemen. Free shipping from 12 bottles.
| Read more about Arneis ↓ |
What is Arneis?
Arneis is the most important white grape of Piedmont, the region famous above all for red wines such as Barolo and Barbera. In the Piedmontese dialect the name means something like "little rascal", the grape is difficult to grow, prone to disease and quick to lose its acidity. Master it, however, and the reward is real: Arneis gives elegant, dry white wines with aromas of pear, white peach, almond and white blossom, a gentle roundness and a subtly bitter almond note in the finish.
From near extinction to the pride of Piedmont
By the 1960s Arneis had almost disappeared: only a few hectares remained, planted mostly among the Nebbiolo to distract the birds. Pioneers from the Roero hills brought the grape back in the seventies and eighties, and today Arneis is the white pride of Piedmont, still grown on a small scale, which makes it a genuine discovery for anyone looking beyond Pinot Grigio.
Langhe Arneis and Roero Arneis: the difference
| Style | Origin | Character | Best with |
|---|---|---|---|
| Langhe Arneis DOC | Langhe hills, around Alba | Fresh, fruity, approachable | Aperitif, salads, fish |
| Roero Arneis DOCG | Sandy soils of Roero | More minerality and depth | Risotto, white meat, soft cheeses |
Roero Arneis, from the sandy left bank of the Tanaro river, holds the highest classification (DOCG) and is considered the most refined expression. Langhe Arneis from the right bank is usually a touch suppler and fruitier, and often attractively priced.
Serving Arneis
Serve Arneis chilled at 8 to 10 degrees in a standard white wine glass. The wine is at its best young, within two to three years of the harvest, when fruit and freshness lead. Letting it warm slightly in the glass pays off: that is when the almond and blossom notes open up.
What to eat with Arneis?
Arneis is versatile at the table: the combination of freshness, gentle roundness and that typical almond note makes it more broadly usable than many other crisp whites. The classic pairing is vitello tonnato, like Arneis, a Piedmont speciality. Also excellent: grilled fish, shellfish, risotto with green asparagus, white meat and young cheeses.
Buy Arneis at ONWINE
At ONWINE you buy Arneis directly from the winemaker in Piedmont, including family estates such as Francone and Mauro Sebaste. The winemaker sets the price and the range, without middlemen, so you pay a fair price and more of your purchase goes to the people who actually make the wine. Prefer to taste first? Visit our wine store in Utrecht.
