Piedmont

Piedmont, or Piemonte, sits at the foot of the Alps in northwestern Italy and is one of the country's most prestigious wine regions. It is the land of the noble Nebbiolo grape, responsible for the powerful, complex, and incredibly age-worthy wines of Barolo and Barbaresco. Famous for its world-class red wines, aromatic whites, and sparkling Asti, Piedmont is a gastronomic paradise where wine and food are deeply intertwined.

Food Pairings with Piedmont Wines

Barolo/Barbaresco: Perfect with local dishes like braised beef in Barolo (brasato al Barolo), tajarin pasta with white truffles, or aged cheeses.
Barbera: Its high acidity makes it ideal for rich foods like salami, lasagna, or pork dishes.
Gavi: A classic match for seafood, especially shellfish, pesto dishes, or light appetizers.
Moscato d'Asti: Serve with fruit-based desserts, pastries, or as a light aperitif.

Geography & Climate

Piedmont means “foot of the mountain,” and the region is framed by the Alps to the north and west and the Apennines to the south. This geography traps the autumn morning fog (nebbia, which gives Nebbiolo its name) in the valleys, creating a unique microclimate.

The continental climate, with its cold winters and warm summers, provides a long, slow growing season, which is essential for ripening the late-harvest Nebbiolo grape and developing its complex aromas and tannins. The vineyard-covered hills of the Langhe and Monferrato are a UNESCO World Heritage site.

History of Piedmont

Piedmont has a rich winemaking history influenced by centuries of French and Italian culture. While grapes have been grown here since ancient times, the region’s modern fame is tied to the 19th century, when figures like Camillo Cavour and Giulia Falletti di Barolo helped establish Nebbiolo as a world-class, dry red wine. For much of its history, Barolo was a sweet wine.

The “Barolo Wars” of the 1980s pitted traditionalist producers against modernists, a creative tension that ultimately elevated the quality and global profile of the entire region.

Subregions and Appellations

A collection of 11 villages in the Langhe hills, producing powerful Nebbiolo wines from two main soil types: Tortonian (softer wines) and Helvetian (more structured wines).

Located just northeast of Barolo, this zone also produces 100% Nebbiolo wines that are typically more graceful and require less aging.

The premier zone for the Barbera grape, producing vibrant, food-friendly red wines.

A white wine appellation in the south, famous for its crisp, steel-aged Cortese wines.

The large zone for Moscato Bianco, producing both Moscato d'Asti (frizzante) and Asti Spumante (spumante).

Signature Wine Styles

Red

Nebbiolo is the undisputed king. Barolo, known as the "king of wines," is powerful, structured, and aromatic, with notes of tar, roses, cherry, and licorice; it requires years of aging. Barbaresco is also 100% Nebbiolo but is typically more elegant and approachable in its youth. Barbera is the everyday red of Piedmont, juicy and high in acid with sour cherry flavors, while Dolcetto is soft, fruity, and meant for early drinking.

White

Gavi, made from the Cortese grape, is a crisp, dry white with citrus and mineral notes. Arneis from Roero produces aromatic, full-bodied whites with notes of pear and almond.

Sparkling Wines

Moscato d'Asti is a famous low-alcohol, semi-sweet, and gently sparkling wine with grapey, floral aromas. Asti Spumante is its fully sparkling counterpart.

Notable Producers

Giacomo Conterno

A benchmark traditionalist producer of Barolo, whose Monfortino Riserva is one of Italy's most legendary wines.

Gaja

A pioneering modernist producer who introduced international standards and single-vineyard bottlings to Barbaresco, elevating the region's status.

Bruno Giacosa

A master of both Barolo and Barbaresco, revered for his elegant and pure expressions of Nebbiolo.

Vietti

A historic producer known for its exceptional single-vineyard Barolos and for "rediscovering" the Arneis grape.

Produttori del Barbaresco

A world-class cooperative that produces outstanding, terroir-driven Barbaresco at incredible value.

Fun Facts about Piedmont

Piedmont has more DOCG-classified wines than any other region in Italy.
The region is famous for its white truffles (tartufo bianco), one of the world's most expensive culinary ingredients, which are hunted in the autumn.
The Slow Food movement was founded in Piedmont in the 1980s.
The term sorì is used in local dialect to refer to a perfectly sun-exposed, south-facing hillside—the best sites for planting Nebbiolo.