Piedmont wines
the 4 finest Piedmont red wines
With its fine and world-renowned wines, Piedmont is a region famous for its wine tradition.
The Piedmontese wine industry has evolved, overcoming a phase of arrest at the beginning of the last century.
Piedmont is the region with the largest number of denominations in Italy (42 DOC and 17 DOCG), and each wine is highly valued both locally and internationally.
The wine tradition in Piedmont
In Piedmont, wine tradition is very ancient: the first traces of viticulture dates back to about 3000 years ago and the oldest cellar to 2000 years ago. Towards the end of the twentieth century, winemakers and the authorities of Piedmont redeveloped the minor DOCs, making Barbera, Barbaresco, and Barolo among the most famous wines in the world.
Wines areas of Piedmont: Langhe, Monferrato and Roero
There several Piedmontese areas dedicated to viticulture, which are grouped into 3 zones: Langhe, Monferrato, and Roero.
These charming territories are characterized by vineyards immersed in the silence of suggestive landscapes.
As far as architecture, the lands of Langhe, Monferrato, and Roero present two different aspects: cellars and farmhouses among the vineyards, where people live following the rhythm of nature, and historic castles and churches on top of the hills, which create a medieval atmosphere. Today, they are a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The fine and well-known wines from Langhe, Monferrato and Roero are exported globally: products such as Roero, Barbaresco, Barolo are present in the wine lists of the most luxurious restaurants in the world.
Piedmont wines follow an ancient tradition; behind them, there is great care and dedication to constant improvement.
Barbera
One of the most cultivated Piedmontese varietals, Barbera is the varietal that best represent Piedmontese traditions.
From Barbera, we obtain the wine of the same name.
Piedmont has several appelations with Barbera: Barbera d’Alba, Barbera del Monferrato, Barbera d’Asti, Colli Tortonesi and Piemonte Barbera.
There is also a sparkling version, typical of younger Barbera. The berries are deep blue, very pulpy, acidic, and come from vines resistant to adverse climatic factors.
Barbera is a robust wine to pair with red meats, risottos, and Piedmontese cheeses. There are both young or aged versions of Barbera. With aging, Barbera loses acidity and acquires a more rounded flavor. It has a bright ruby red color with shades of purple and blue and aromas of black currant, raspberry, and cherry, and leaves a pleasant finish of tobacco.
Barbera d’Alba is soft and harmonious while Barbera d’Asti is more intense, persistent, and fresh.
Nebbiolo
The most prestigious Piedmontese grape variety, Nebbiolo is a native black grape variety, which gives birth to the finest Piedmont wines.
The name Nebbiolo comes from the word “nebbia”, which means “fog” in Italian. The origin of the name could refer to the patinated skin of Nebbiolo berries, or to the harvest, which takes place in the middle of October, when the vineyards are immersed in the autumn mists.
Nebbiolo is grown in the heart Langhe and Roero and its grapes produce Roero DOCG, Barbaresco and Barolo DOCG, and Nebbiolo D’alba DOCG and Langhe Nebbiolo DOC.
This Piedmontese wine has a ruby red color of medium intensity with typical transparency, since the grape skin does not have many anthocyanins.
The bouquet varies from notes of roses and violets to hints of raspberries, strawberries, and cherries in syrup. Nebbiolo can be paired with Piedmontese cured meats and cheeses such as toma, or Piedmontese pastas such as agnolotti del plin or tajarin with truffles from Alba.
When Nebbiolo is aged, it goes very well with meat dishes such as fassona fillet, boiled meats, braised meats, game.
Barolo
The finest Piedmontese wine, Barolo is produced with 100% Nebbiolo grapes, a varietal present almost exclusively in Piedmont.
It has a garnet color with amber reflections, which become more evident during its evolution
Its aroma is intense with notes of violet and rose. Over time, hints of cooked plum and cherry in syrup stand out, followed by reminiscences of mushrooms and truffles.
This Piedmontese wine is full-bodied, with a robust, dry, and, at the same time, velvety and soft flavor. Its alcohol content is 14,5°.
Barolo needs a minimum of 3 years of aging, at least 2 of which in chestnut or oak barrels. If aged at least 5 years, it becomes Barolo Riserva.
Known as “Wine of the Kings and King of Wines”, it goes well with all recipes based on truffles, porcini mushrooms, stews, game, and aged cheeses.
Barolo Chinato is produced with the addition of China calissaia, alcohol, and sugar. It is a flavored meditation wine, recommended at the end of a meal, particularly with chocolate.
Barbaresco
One of the best-known Italian wines, Barbaresco is produced on the hills of Langhe, in the municipalities of Neive, Treiso, Alba, and Barbaresco.
Barbaresco has a ruby red color when is young, which turns towards garnet when is aged. It has crystalline transparency and hints of undergrowth, fruit in syrup, mint, raspberries, and violets. Over the years, it evolves with notes of truffles, roots, and leaves. The taste is soft and round.
Barbaresco comes from 100% Nebbiolo grapes and is aged for a minimum of 26 months, at least 12 of which in oak barrels.
Barbaresco Riserva is aged for at least 48 months and bottled in the Albeisa bottle with dark glass.
It pairs well with typical Piedmont dishes such as veal with tuna sauce, a mixture of fry, “fassona” meat tartare, truffle-based dishes, cassarole, grilled meat, braised meats, and aged cheeses.
A precious treasure of the Piedmontese and Italian tradition, Barbaresco is a unique wine, perfect to be tasted on long winter evenings.
Piedmont is one of the Italian regions with the greatest wine excellence: Piedmontese red wines express the Italian winemaking tradition at its best.
Campagna finanziata ai sensi del reg. UE n. 1308/2013