Region: Piemonte
About the Region:
Named at the "foot
of the mountain," the Alps that is, Piedmont produces what makes
Italy truly great: the wines of Barolo
and Barbaresco as well as the glorious white truffle of Alba.
DOC(G)/IGT:
DOCG:
Acqui or Brachetto d'Acqui,
Asti,
Barbaresco,
Barolo,
Gattinara,
Gavi or Cortese di Gavi,
Ghemme
DOC:
Albugnano,
Alta Langa,
Barbera d'Alba,
Barbera d'Asti,
Barbera del Monferrato,
Boca,
Bramaterra,
Canavese,
Carema,
Cisterna d'Asti,
Colli Tortonesi,
Collina Torinese,
Colline Novaresi,
Colline Saluzzesi,
Cortese dell'Alto Monferrato,
Coste della Sesia,
Dolcetto d'Acqui,
Dolcetto d'Alba,
Dolcetto d'Asti,
Dolcetto delle Langhe Monregalesi, Dolcetto di Diano d'Alba,
Dolcetto di Dogliani,
Dolcetto di Ovada,
Erbaluce di Caluso or Caluso, Fara,
Freisa d'Asti,
Freisa di Chieri,
Gabiano,
Grignolino d'Asti,
Grignolino del Monferrato Casalese,
Langhe,
Lessona,
Loazzolo,
Malvasia di Casorzo d'Asti,
Malvasia di Castelnuovo Don Bosco,
Monferrato,
Nebbiolo d'Alba,
Piemonte,
Pinerolese,
Roero,
Rubino di Cantavenna,
Ruché di Castagnole Monferrato,
Sizzano,
Valsusa,
Verduno Pelavrega or Verduno
Grapes:
White
Grapes: Moscato, Cortese, Arneis, Erbaluce, Favorita, Chardonnay
Red Grapes:
Barbera, Dolcetto, Freisa, Braccheto, Bonarda, Cabernet Sauvignon,
Nebbiolo, Grignolino, Merlot, Pinot Nero
Wines:
Carema
- a medium bodied red made with the Picutener grape (Nebbiolo). The
wine exhibits lean acid, tight fruit and dry, earthy overtones.
Erbaluce di Caluso - made from the Erbaluce grape, this wine
can be a very dry, highly acidic white as well as a persuasively seductive
dessert wine.
Gattinara - a robust red wine from the Spanna grape (Nebbiolo)
that displays balanced tannins and ripe cherries.
Ghemme - a lighter, softer red with firm backbone, made with
the Spanna grape (Nebbiolo).
Gavi
di Gavi - this was once considered Italy’s finest white
wine. It now ranks simply as a good one, with the Cortese grape producing
ample mineral notes.
Brachetto d’Acqui - an extremely refreshing sparkling
rose dessert wine made with the Brachetto grape, exhibiting Muscat,
rose and vibrant strawberry notes.
Barbera
- whether from Monferrato, Asti or Alba, Barbera is Piedmont’s
thoroughbred red, exhibiting racy acidity, vibrant fruit and finesse.
This is a relatively new status for the grape – only ten years
ago, the Piedmont’s Barbera was often unpleasantly tart and
thin. Better vineyard management and treatment at the winery have
been the keys. Barbera d’Asti can be easily found, but Barbera
del Monferrato, which claims the grape as its own, is usually a better
bet.
Asti Spumante - the world’s second favorite sparkling
wine after Champagne, this semi-sweet sparkler is made from the Moscato
grape using the tank method. Moscato d’Asti is similar except
that it has 1-2 degrees less alcohol and lower CO2 pressure (i.e.
fewer bubbles.) These wines have glorious evergreen, mint and Muscat
notes.
Arneis - a recently revived white wine from the arneis grape,
with almondy, fruit notes and an ever-so-slight sparkle. A low-acid
variety with an unusual, waxy texture, this is a great aperitif to
accompany antipasti.
Barolo -
“the king of wines and the wine of kings”. The great red
wine of Italy from the Nebbiolo grape, this red has very high tannin
with notes of violets, wild berries, tar, tobacco, vanilla, chocolate,
mint, licorice, spice and truffles. Click
to see a map of Barolo
Barbaresco
- though considered a feminine version of Barolo, the wine definitely
does not take a back seat in style or in class. This powerful red
is made with Nebbiolo from the fog-entrenched hills of Alba. Click
to see a map of Barbaresco
Dolcetto
- the “little sweet one” from either Ovada, Asti, Alba
or Dogliani, this has long been regarded as the “Beaujolais
of Italy” for its simplicity, low acidity, consistent ripening
ability (it ripens weeks before Nebbiolo) and easy-going character
of intense grapey aromas and fleshly fruit flavors. Recently renewed
interest in the variety is giving the grape a new reputation as fat,
dark and powerful. Dolcetto d’Asti typically displays a brighter
style, and Dolcetto di Dogliani is known for some heavyweights.
Moscato
- a viscous dessert wine made with the Moscato grape. It is rich and
complex with notes of citrus and berries.
Nebbiolo
d’Alba - while one is waiting for their Barolo and
Barbaresco to age, this version of Nebbiolo is less tannic and less
complex, perfect for enjoying right now.
