 The preview tasting focused on Piemonte’s indigenous grape variety Nebbiolo used exclusively in all the three docg appellations. Organised on 13-18 May 2012, Palazzo Mostre e Congressi in Alba was the traditional venue for the tastings where one could taste them blind also.
Albeisa, a private group of producers banded together that conducted the programme in collaboration with the Consorzio di Tutela. The annual event Nebbiolo Prima -the name was changed 2 years ago due to some technical reasons, is designed act as the focal point for the international wine press.  Opening to wider world audiences s, the third edition attracting around 70 journalists and importers globally, including Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, China, Korea, Denmark, Germany, Japan, India, Norway, Czech Republic, Spain, USA,, Sweden, and Switzerland.
Over five days, participants were able to enjoy in-depth preview tastings of the new vintages, before the shipment of wines to markets around the world. Presented in the technical tastings were Barolo 2008 and Riserva 2006; Barbaresco 2009 and Riserva 2007; and Roero 2009 and Riserva 2008. A total of around 350 wines were showcased by 200 producers.
Journalists and wine buyers discovered the treasure of Langhe not only in the wine glass but also from the air with a spectacular helicopter tour arranged for the first time so the visitors could enjoy the topography of the beautiful vineyards and their favourite wineries.
Making this year’s event even more high-powered and international in scope was the synergy among the producers who were able to recommend journalists, wine buyers, and opinion makers for invitation. Also a first was the Nebbiolo Prima opening doors to the public as well, with an extra section tailored to wine lovers, called Nebbiolo Prima Open on 19 May. This enabled them not only to appreciate the new vintages from good producers but to discover the distinctive qualities of the internationally famous Langhe region as well.
Subhash Arora
List of Participating Producers |