PiemonteGeography: Located in the northwest corner of Italy, Piedmont borders west with France. It is surrounded by large Alpine masses (north and west) and the Apennines (south) that influence the typically continental climate, characterized by wide thermal excursions between day and night, relatively cold and damp winters, and hot, humid summers. Grape varieties: Red: Nebbiolo, Barbera, Dolcetto, Freisa, Brachetto and Grignolino. White: Moscato, Cortese, Arneis, Erbaluce and Timorasso Viticulture: With over 40,000 hectares (100,000 acres) under production, 17 DOCGs and 42 DOCs, Piedmont is the region with Italy’s greatest number of vineyard designations – its wines significant on both the local and international markets. The vineyards are mostly red grapes, with some noteworthy native and international white grapes grown as well. Winemaking: More than 90% of the region’s wine production occurs in the hilly areas, with modern vine-training systems such as Guyot. ‘Identity’ and ‘terroir’ are probably the two keywords here now, after years in frantic pursuit of ‘international’ taste. Regions: Alto Piemonte, with the ‘Northern’ Nebbiolos (Lessona, Gattinara, Boca, Ghemme); Langhe and Roero, for the Nebbiolo wines of Barolo, Barbaresco and Roero (also high quality Dolcetto, Barbera and more); Monferrato and Astigiano (well-known for Barbera, Ruchè and Moscato d’Asti) and Tortonese and Gavi (known for Timorasso and Cortese) |
Piemonte
Related Blog Posts
View all-
Sicily’s winemakers take Marsala back to its roots
Local producers are taking the indigenous grapes out of the Marsala blend to make artisanal table wines. A new generation of Sicilian winemakers is revolutionising Marsala, a fortified wine whose...
Sicily’s winemakers take Marsala back to its roots
Local producers are taking the indigenous grapes out of the Marsala blend to make artisanal table wines. A new generation of Sicilian winemakers is revolutionising Marsala, a fortified wine whose...
-
A conversation with: Jonathan Maltus, St Emilion kingpin
Jonathan Maltus is the second-largest landowner in St Emilion (with 65ha of vineyard he’s just behind Alain Vauthier of Ausone). He fell into winemaking almost by accident; having sold his...
A conversation with: Jonathan Maltus, St Emilion kingpin
Jonathan Maltus is the second-largest landowner in St Emilion (with 65ha of vineyard he’s just behind Alain Vauthier of Ausone). He fell into winemaking almost by accident; having sold his...
-
Albariño Shines from West to East
It isn’t in the major league yet (it’s not Chardonnay or Pinot Grigio, after all) but Albariño has become the hottest grape of the year.
Albariño Shines from West to East
It isn’t in the major league yet (it’s not Chardonnay or Pinot Grigio, after all) but Albariño has become the hottest grape of the year.