There are five main communes making the Barolo DOCG, of which there are sub-communes. The five main communes include: Barolo, La Morra, Castiglione Falletto, Serralunga d'alba and nothern Monforte d'alba.
Nebbiolo is the dominant red grape and produces elegant, aromatic and well structured reds which can take between 10 and 20 years to come into their best. Traditonally aged in large, oval Slovenian oak barrels; the wines have to spend 36 months aging before relase, 18 of these in barrel to bear the name Barolo. Since the 1970s/80s, a more fruit forward, younger drinking style has developed. This is acheived through shorter fermentation and maceration times plus aging in smaller, French oak barriques.
A continental climate exists here with cold winters and warm summers.The summer heat is softened by the river Tanaro and it's tributaries. Vineyard aspect is important due to Nebbiolo's fickle growing requirements. Those vineyards on northen slopes, attracting the warmth of southern sunshine are the most sought after. The soil types of this DOCG impart their own influence of the resulting wines. Calcareous marl soil dominates Barolo and La Morra, which tend to age more quickly and produce fruitier wines. Sandstone soils in Serralunga d'alba, Monforte d'alba and Castiglione Falletto result in heavier, richer more ageworthy examples although the latter has more elegance and structure than the former two.