Piedmont

Overview

Situated in northwestern Italy and bordered by the majestic Alps, Piedmont (Piemonte) translates to "foot of the mountain." The region is enveloped by an iconic autumn fog, or nebbia, from which its most legendary grape, Nebbiolo, takes its name.

Piedmont is widely considered the culinary and viticultural rival to Tuscany. Its crowning jewels are the profoundly structured, complex, and age-worthy red wines of Barolo and Barbaresco, both crafted exclusively from Nebbiolo. These world-class wines offer ethereal aromas of "tar and roses."

Beyond Nebbiolo, the region hums with diversity. Barbera provides juicy, everyday drinking reds bursting with acidity and fruit, while Dolcetto offers delightfully dark, dry, and surprisingly tannic expressions. For white wine and sparkling lovers, the region yields bright, vivacious Cortese (Gavi) and the famously sweet, fragrant Moscato d'Asti.

Key Varietals

• NebbioloThe aristocratic grape behind Barolo and Barbaresco. Known for its pale brick color, aggressive tannins, high acidity, and captivating aromas of roses, cherry, and truffle.
• BarberaThe most widely planted red grape in the region. Yields deeply colored, low-tannin wines with zippy acidity and bright red and dark berry flavors.
• DolcettoMeaning "little sweet one" (though the wines are bone dry), offering blackberry, plum, and bitter almond notes with moderate acidity and firm tannins.
• MoscatoProduces the famous Moscato d'Asti - a lightly sparkling, sweet white wine boasting exuberant aromatics of peach, orange blossom, and sage.