Arneis is a long-established grape variety from Piedmont, specifically from Roero. It was probably mentioned as early as 1432, but this is not 100 percent proven. The first completely certain document regarding the existence of Arneis dates back to 1877. In the past, it was often planted together with Nebbiolo because the special smell of this grape variety attracted birds and it protected the valuable Nebbiolo from being eaten by birds. From the middle of the last century onwards, the population in Roero declined so much that the Arneis almost became extinct. Only two top Piedmontese producers, Vietti and Pio Cesare, still cultivated this variety and bottled a small quantity. With the rise of Italian white wine in the 1980s, it became increasingly interesting again, so that today there are almost 750 hectares under vines around Roero. However, the amount of wine produced is of course limited. Arneis is strong and strongly spicy and is ripe after a medium ripening period around mid-September. The variety is quite robust and resistant, especially to downy mildew, but it is even more susceptible to real mildew. The wines are undoubtedly among the most original white wines in Italy, intensely fruity, quite mild and full-bodied. It is not found in Italy outside of Piedmont, but Australia and New Zealand have recently become interested in this variety.
This grape variety is also known by the name of:
Bianchetta d'Alba, Bianchetta di Alba, Bianchetto, Bianchetto Albese, Bianchetto di Verzuelo, Bianchetto di Alba, Nebbiolo Bianco
