Belinda and Barbarella’s Favorite Wines
Barolo & Barbaresco (Nebbiolo)
Italy's Famous Ballerina Twins
Meet Belinda and Barbarella, twin sisters and celebrity ballerinas from Piedmont, Italy. They have a dog called Nibble, and rarely travel out of Italy because of him. Belinda is the more famous of the two, and both are known for being a little finicky.
They wear hats to protect their pale skin from the sun, favour orange in their wardrobe, and carry themselves with the athletic build of dancers in constant training. They're intense, and they don't mix well with just anyone, but give them time and they only grow more charming with age.
In wine terms? Belinda and Barbarella are Barolo and Barbaresco, two of Italy's most famous and expensive red wines, both made from the Nebbiolo grape.
Nebbiolo is notoriously difficult to grow, needing very specific conditions to fully ripen, and it's rarely found outside Italy.
Don't let the pale garnet colour fool you. Barolo and Barbaresco are full-bodied wines with high acidity and firm tannins, layered with cherry, rose, tar and liquorice. They're intense, structured wines that reward patience, and both can age beautifully, often for decades in the cellar.
Nebbiolo is almost always bottled on its own rather than blended with other grapes, much like Belinda and Barbarella, who don't share the stage easily.Piedmont, in northwest Italy, is home turf for these two, and it's still where the best examples come from.
Now let's find you some bottles they'd actually approve of.
Belinda & Barbarella's Top Picks
We picked bottles from Belinda and Barbarella's homeland and beyond. All available on Pop Up Wine Singapore and Straits Wine Singapore. Click any wine name to shop it.
1. For a casual weeknight
Poderi Colla : Nebbiolo d'Alba Drago 2021
Piedmont, Italy | $52 / bottle
Belinda and Barbarella say: "Think of this as our cousin from just down the road, more easygoing than we are. Bright cherry and raspberry, a little rose and clove, and juicy tannins that don't make a fuss. Earlier vintages scored 91 points from Decanter and 93 from Falstaff. A proper taste of Nebbiolo without waiting for a special occasion."
Pairs with: Pasta with meat sauce, roast chicken, or mushroom risotto
2. For the Nebbiolo explorer
Lessona, Piedmont, Italy | $76 / bottle
Belinda and Barbarella say: "Head further north in Piedmont and the story changes. Same grape, cooler hills, a much lighter touch: red berries, violets and a hint of iron, with fine, polished tannins. Rated 4 out of 5 on Vivino. If you think you know Nebbiolo, this one will surprise you."
Pairs with: Roast lamb, mushroom dishes, or aged hard cheese
3. Great value-for-money
Poderi Colla : Barbaresco Tenuta Roncaglie 2020
Barbaresco, Italy | $89 / bottle
Barbarella says: "This is a classic Barbaresco, and the scores back it up: 96 points from The Real Review and 94 from Winecritics, with 18 out of 20 from Jancis Robinson for the 2019. Rose petal, red cherry, warm spice and a long, silky finish. Real quality, not just a name on the label."
Pairs with: Braised beef, roast game, or agnolotti pasta
4. To impress at a dinner party
Conterno Fantino : Barolo Vigna del Gris 2018
Monforte d'Alba, Barolo, Italy | $164 / bottle
Belinda says: "Now we're talking about the real thing. Dense and perfumed, layered with crushed raspberry, blackberry and liquorice, built on firm, polished tannins. James Suckling gave it 95 points, Robert Parker 94, and Falstaff 93. Open this one and let people know you take your wine seriously."
Pairs with: Truffle risotto, aged steak, or hard cheeses
5. For a special occasion
Poderi Colla : Bussia Riserva Beppe Colla 2015
Barolo, Italy | $196 / bottle
Belinda says: "This is me at my finest. Made only in the best vintages, this Barolo is deep garnet in the glass, with dried flowers, spiced fruit and a touch of incense. Antonio Galloni at Vinous calls Poderi Colla's Barolo and Barbaresco consistently outstanding, and honestly, we agree. Built to age for decades. Save it for the people who deserve it."
Pairs with: Truffle dishes, aged Parmesan, or slow-roasted lamb
Nebbiolo Cheat Sheet
| Body | Medium to full, though it looks lighter than it tastes |
| Color | Pale garnet, fading to brick-orange within a few years |
| Tasting notes | Cherry, rose, tar and liquorice, with earthy notes as it ages |
| Serve at | 15–20°C |
| Best with | Truffle risotto, roasted meats, mushroom dishes, aged cheeses |
| Avoid with | Light salads, delicate seafood, very spicy food |
| Glass type | Large, wide-bowled glass (an "aroma collector" style) to let the perfume open up |
Meet Belinda and Barbarella
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