The Arneis grape variety is widespread in Piedmont, especially in the Roero area. Due to rural depopulation and various crises in the wine sector, by the 1960s the presence of Arneis had dwindled to near extinction, but it was later rediscovered for its enological characteristics and proposed as a quality white wine in a land of red wines. Today, there are more than 600 hectares of Arneis vineyards in Piedmont, with small amounts also cultivated in California, Australia, and New Zealand. The improvement of the grape through clonal selection has helped to enhance and stabilize its enological qualities. Arneis also has a very small presence in Liguria and Sardinia. The Arneis grape is part of the Bianchette family, present in Liguria and Piedmont, and the name clearly refers to the color of the berry.

In the past two decades, Arneis has become synonymous with the symbolic grape variety of the Roero area (despite a considerable amount of Nebbiolo also being produced in this territory). Its wines are characterized by floral notes and delicate aromas, contrasting with a relatively full body and other more fruity notes, typically of pear and apricot, rounded off with a slight hint of hazelnut. The white wines Roero Arneis, produced on the banks of the Tanaro River, have earned the nickname “White Barolo.” There are various possible explanations for the decline of Arneis in the late 20th century. Piedmont has always been a region famous for its red wines, so white grape varieties have often been relegated to less desirable vineyard positions. Sometimes Arneis vines were planted near Nebbiolo vines, mainly to protect the latter. The stronger aroma of the Arneis grape distracted hungry birds and insects away from the more prized Nebbiolo. Finally, Arneis presents significant cultivation challenges: it is susceptible to mold and struggles to maintain acceptable acidity levels in hot seasons. Outside of Roero, varietal Arneis wines are produced in the Langhe hills immediately to the south and in the Terre Alfieri to the northeast (near Asti).