Story: Roero Arneis | Grape Variety
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Origin and naming
Arneis is a white grape variety from Italy and is often referred to together with its region of origin as Roero Arneis. It comes from Piedmont, one of the most renowned wine regions in north-western Italy. Today, the grape variety is one of the rediscovered autochthonous specialties whose history - similar to that of Viognier - almost ended in extinction.

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From oblivion to renaissance
In the 1960s, Arneis had almost disappeared. Only a few hectares in Piedmont were still planted with it, and only a handful of winegrowers used the grapes for wine production. The reason: for a long time, Arneis was not considered suitable for the market - too low yields, too demanding to grow. Today, the variety once again grows on around 600 hectares in its home region and is also cultivated experimentally in California, Australia and New Zealand.

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Characteristics and style
In its homeland, the Roero region, Arneis has become the leading figure of the local white wine - despite the presence of high-quality Nebbiolo red wines in the same region. The white wines from Arneis are known for their floral, fruity aromas, freshness and pleasant body. Typical notes are apricot, pear and a hint of hazelnut. Due to its geographical proximity to the Barolo region, Arneis is sometimes referred to as “Barolo Bianco” - a symbolic homage to quality rather than style.

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The man behind the rescue: Alfredo Currado
The survival of the grape variety is largely thanks to Alfredo Currado - a member of the prestigious Vietti winemaking family. From 1967 onwards, he devoted himself intensively to rebuilding the Arneis culture. His efforts not only led to the revival of the variety, but also to a modern interpretation of Piedmontese white wine. Vietti still produces some of the most renowned Arneis wines today.

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Why Arneis was almost lost
There are various reasons for the historical decline in Arneis plantings. Piedmont is traditionally a red wine region; white wines played a subordinate role there for a long time. Arneis was planted on poorer sites - often only as a “protective plant” alongside Nebbiolo to divert animals or weather influences. In some cases, Arneis was also used to round off the tannins in red wines, for example as a softening component in Barbera or Nebbiolo. Its low yields and high susceptibility to pests also made the variety less attractive for commercial use.

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A white wine with a future
Today, Arneis is experiencing its well-deserved renaissance. The available qualities finally show the true potential of this long underestimated grape variety. With its fresh acidity, harmonious full body and elegant aromas of pear, apricot and nut, Arneis offers a special taste experience. Anyone who drinks a Roero Arneis is not only tasting a high-quality white wine - but also an authentic piece of Piedmontese wine tradition. - Gerardo [TS04/25]