Piedmont
Piedmont, Italy’s westernmost region with borders on Switzerland and France, is hemmed in by the Alps and the Apennines, which explains why its name means “foot of the mountain”. Though it ranks only seventh among the regions in total production, Piedmont is a giant of Italian wine in every other way. Piedmont stands proud as the region with the most DOC/DOCG zones (58) and with the largest percentage of wines officially classified (86%). The region produces about 16% of Italy’s DOC/DOCG wines.
Piedmont is admired above all for its red wines, led by the regal Barolo and Barbaresco. But the most popular of the region’s wines worldwide is the white, sweet, bubbly Asti. An overwhelming majority of the wines of Piedmont derive from native vines. Beyond the noble Nebbiolo – source of Barolo, Barbaresco, Gattinara, Ghemme and Roero, which are all DOCG – Barbera ranks as the most popular vine for reds, followed by Dolcetto, which is enjoyed for its mellow, round flavours. Brachetto makes a sweet, fragrant bubbly red that is DOCG as Brachetto d’Acqui. Freisa and Grignolino lead a host of local varieties in rounding out the honour roll of reds.
Piedmont is a leading producer of sparkling wines foremost among them is Asti, whose DOCG applies to both sparkling Spumante – or simply Asti – and the softly bubbly Moscato d’Asti. With an average annual output of nearly 80 million bottles, the Asti appellation ranks third in volume after Chianti and Montepulciano d’Abruzzo among Italy’s classified wines. Piedmont is also a major producer of dry sparkling wines by both the classical (in bottle) and tank fermentation methods. Alta Langa DOC applies to sparkling white, rosé and red wines made by the classic method.
Among still whites, Gavi, from the Cortese grape, shows a crisp yet elegant style that explains why admirers consider it one of the best with seafood and why it was promoted to DOCG. Smoothly fruity Arneis continues to gain ground under the DOCG of Roero, where the light, zesty Favorita is also emerging. The ancient variety of Erbaluce di Caluso makes both dry white wines, also sparkling, and the esteemed Passito Riserva that ages for five years. A revelation in white wine is the Timorasso under Colli Tortonesi DOC.