Piedmont

---

Piedmont is esteemed above all for its red wines, the regal Barolo and Barbaresco in the forefront. But the best known of the region’s wines is the white, sweet, bubbly and widely adored Asti Spumante.  Practically all of Piedmont’s classified wines derive from native vines. Besides the noble Nebbiolo – source of Barolo, Barbaresco and Gattinara, which are all DOCG – Barbera ranks as the most popular vine for reds and Dolcetto is admired for its soft, full-flavoured wines. Freisa, Grignolino, Brachetto and a host of other varieties round out the honour roll or red wines.  Still, among DOC wines at least, whites are equally prominent. First comes Moscato d’Asti, the base of Asti Spumante. With an output surpassing 50 million litres annually, it ranks second in volume to Chianti among Italy’s classified wines. An established star among dry whites is Gavi from the native Cortese grape.  Italy’s westernmost region with borders on Switzerland and France, Piedmont is hemmed in by Alps and Apennines, which explain why its name means “foot of the mountain.” Though it ranks only seventh among the regions in total production, in every other way Piedmont is a giant of wine. It has the most DOC-DOCG zones with 38 (taking in 43 distinct types of wine) and the most vineyards dedicated to classified production. For craftmanship, respect for tradition and devotion to native vines in their historical habitat, the Piedmontese have no rivals in Italy.  The region’s climate is rigid by Italian standards, with distinct changes of season. Winters are cold with plenty of snow; summers are usually warm and dry; spring and autumn are usually cool with fog normal at harvest time. Most vineyards are located in two major areas; the Langhe and Monferrato hills which are connected to the Apennines in the southeast and the foothills of the Alps to the north between Lake Maggiore and Valle d’Aosta.