Piedmont wine

Translated as the ‘foot of the mountains’ in Italian, Piedmont is more than just a stunning holiday destination. Located on the base of the Western Alps and the Apennines in northern Italy, it’s also perfect for grape-growing.

Sheltered from harsh weather and featuring a variety of soils and microclimates, Piedmont is home to some of Italy’s most famous wines.

It’s the birthplace of the native Nebbiolo grape, which is the foundation of two of Italy’s most prestigious wines – Barolo and Barbaresco. Known as the ‘King of Wines’, Barolo is a complex red wine with rich flavours and the ability to age gracefully for decades. Many wine lovers prize mature Barolo wines that have been aged between 10-20 years, though more modern vintages can be enjoyed earlier. Barbaresco is a more approachable, but equally respected wine. Elegant and refined, it features strawberry, raspberry and cherry syrup flavours.

Piedmont’s long and tumultuous winemaking history dates back to the Middle Ages. But the Piedmont wines we know and love today didn’t appear until the 1800s when the first Barolo wine was made by the Marquises Faletti and Count Camillo Benso di Cavour.

Devastation hit the region in the second half of the 19th century with the phylloxera pan-European epidemic. As with much of the vineyards in Europe, rebuilding meant introducing new vines and varieties.

There was more disruption in the 1970s and 1980s in what came to be known as the Barolo Wars. Progressive “modernist” winemakers sought to produce fruitier, younger Barolo wines while “traditionalist” producers championed preserving the region’s winemaking heritage. While the two sides favoured different styles, one thing can be agreed: the introduction of modern viticultural practices and better cellar management at the time led to a renaissance in Piedmontese winemaking. This would ultimately elevate the status of Barolo and Barbaresco, and they’re now some of Italy’s most celebrated and in-demand wines.

Today, Piedmont stands as one of Italy's most esteemed wine regions, producing several renowned DOC and DOCG wines.

Piedmont is famous for creating a wide range of high-quality wines, including:

• Arneis: A dry and medium-bodied white wine featuring pear, peach and almond flavours. It pairs well with seafood and light pasta dishes.
• Asti Spumante: This semi-sweet and aromatic fully sparkling wine is made from the Moscato Bianco grape. With hints of ripe peach, apricot and honey flavours, it can be served as a dessert wine or enjoyed on its own.
• Barbaresco: This iconic red wine is also made using Nebbiolo grapes from the Langhe region, but they’re exclusive to the town of Barbaresco. These reds are more approachable than Barolo, with elegant red fruit, violets and spiced flavours.
• Barbera: The Barbera grape is Piedmont’s most planted grape variety. Winemakers use it to make medium-full-bodied red wines known for their bright acidity and vibrant notes of black cherry, plum and blackberry. Some of the best Barbera wines come from the Barbera d’Alba and Barbera d’Asti appellations.
• Barolo: Made from native Nebbiolo grapes from the hilly Langhe region, Barolo is also known as the ‘King of Wines’. This prestigious red has complex rose, red cherry, tar and truffle flavours. These wines often feature robust tannins and have excellent ageing potential – upwards of 15 years for some vintages.
• Dolcetto: An easy-drinking, everyday wine, Dolcetto is a fruity red with low tannins, making it one of Piedmont’s most food-friendly options.
• Gavi: Made from the Cortese grape in the Gavi region of Piedmont, Gavi is a crisp white wine with a bright acidity. It has flavours of citrus, green apple and white flowers and can be paired with a broad range of dishes.
• Moscato d’Asti: An aromatic, lightly sparkling wine made from the Moscato Bianco grape. With notes of apricot, white peach and orange blossom, it’s perfect for serving with dessert or on its own as an aperitif.
• Nebbiolo d’Alba: Another red made from Nebbiolo grapes, but it’s not as famous as Barolo and Barbaresco. Typically enjoyed young, it showcases the grape’s character without the extensive ageing.

Piedmont’s leading wine regions are:

Asti and Alba: These regions are famous for Moscato d’Asti and Asti Spumante, made using Moscato Bianco grapes. These sweet sparkling wines are celebrated for their bright fruitiness and low alcohol content.

Gavi: In the southeast of Piedmont, Gavi features chalky, limestone-rich soils and a cool climate. Its wines, made from the white Cortese grape, balance delicate floral hints with crisp acidity.

Langhe: Piedmont’s most famous wine area, Langhe is home to some of Italy’s most prestigious winemakers and wines, including Barolo, Barbaresco and Dolcetto d’Alba. With diverse microclimates and soil types, this hilly region allows winemakers to make a range of unique wines.

Monferrato: It’s the largest wine producer in the Piedmont region and home to the Barbera grape. Winemakers in this region make the popular Barbera d’Asti and Barbera del Monferrato wines.

Roero: East of the Tanaro River, the Roero region has a hilly, dry landscape with sandstone rock and marine sediment soils. Roero is known for white Arneis grapes and the famous Nebbiolo.

Piedmont wines are as diverse in their taste profiles as they are in styles:

• Barolo: With its high tannins and acidity, Barolo pairs well with rich, hearty dishes like truffle risotto, braised beef, or mature cheeses.
• Barbaresco: This wine is versatile with food, pairing well with grilled meats, game, rich pasta dishes and aged cheeses.
• Barbera: The high acidity and dark fruit flavours make Barbera an excellent match for tomato-based pasta dishes, pizza, roast poultry and medium cheeses.
• Dolcetto: Its juicy fruitiness pairs well with everyday dishes like pizza, pasta, grilled chicken and a variety of cheeses.
• Moscato d'Asti: The sweetness and light fizz of Moscato d'Asti make it perfect for pairing with fruity desserts, pastries or blue cheese.
• Gavi: Gavi's high acidity and citrus notes make it a good match for light seafood dishes, grilled white fish or fresh salads.

Discover more food and wine pairing tips.