Piedmonte
- Located in the western most part of northern Italy, right against the border with France, lies a historic and important wine-making region. Piedmonte, which translates directly to “at the foot of the mountains”, is almost completely encircled by the Alps.
- The vines here grow amazing fruit which is helped by the consistent slopes which they are planted on. In fact, Piedmonte is so hilly that less than 5% of its vineyards are classified as “flat”.
- The two best-known reds grown here are Barbaresco and Borolo, which are given their names from local villages of the same names. All remaining wines produced in Piedmonte get their name directly from the fruit they are made from; Nebbiolo, Barbera, Dolcetto, Moscato, along with many others.
- However, arguably the best grape grown in Piedmonte, is the Nebbiolo grape. Similar in many ways to the Pinot Noir grape as it requires much time, patience, and luck and it produces lighter, fragrant, and more tannic wine.
- Barbera has become the second-most produced red wine in Piedmonte, behind Nebbiolo. And while Nebbiolo is pale in color and heavy in tannins, the Barbera wine made here is made in a big, bold, and almost garnet in color due to extensive aging in 100% new French oak barrels.
- Great white wine is also produced in Piedmonte. In the southwest hills of Piedmonte, just outside of the village of Alba, a local varietal named Favorita is grown. The rest of the world knows it as Vermentino.
- Moscato is the primary white grape of Piedmonte and is the grape responsible for Asti, a well-known sparkling wine as well as Moscato d’Asti. Moscato d’Asti shows off what sweetness can be derived from this varietal, while only delivering around 5% ABV.
- Lastly, Piedmonte is responsible for some other amazing, if not as well-known grapes; Gavi, Cortese, and Dolcetto to just name a few.
