Since Nebbiolo rosè has been believed for long times identical to Nebbiolo, or at least considered as one of its variants, it is impossible to establish which has been Rosè’s first historical mention. A ‘Nebieul rosè’, however, was quoted by count Nuvolone (1799), who outlined several traits fully corresponding to the variety we are talking: smaller bunches, less coloured berries, reduced fertility.

Believed more recently as a Nebbiolo’s ‘biotype’ (Dalmasso et al., 1962), Nebbiolo rosè has been finally identify as a distinct genotype, although genetically related to Nebbiolo, only in 1998, thanks to genetic analyses (Botta et al., 2000).

Nebbiolo rosè seems to be present since the past in all the areas were Nebbiolo is traditionally grown, from the Langhe and Roero in Piemonte to the Valtellina, maybe to a lesser extent in the northern Piedmont, were it is quite rare. In the province of Sondrio (Valtellina) is called Chiavennaschino (i.e. small ‘Chiavennasca’, the name used there for Nebbiolo): here Rosè was esteemed for its resistance to spring cold (which could affect Nebbiolo’s productivity instead), and to summer drought. If it true, as it is likely, that Chiavennaschino was classified in Valtellina as ‘Chiavennasca piccola’ (Small Chiavennasca), at the end of XIX century it accounted for 500 ha there against the about a thousand of the Chiavennasca (Nebbiolo) (Gerini, 1882).

Even tough some of the first registered clones of Nebbiolo were in fact Nebbiolo rosè, and therefore grown as a single variety in early plantings, in the recently planted vineyards Nebbiolo rosè is usually left out.

It is likely that grapes from Nebbiolo rosè were never single-vinified but usually blended with Nebbiolo, although Rosè ripens slightly earlier.

From grape composition and from wine making experiences, Nebbiolo rosè is believed to give wines even less coloured than Nebbiolo, but more alcoholic, and with more pronounced floral scents.