PIEMONTE, ITALY

The Piemonte wine region is situated in the northwest part of Italy. The most commonly planted grapes in the region for red wine production are Barbera, Nebbiolo, and Dolcetto. Piemonte's fine reputation for wine is largely due to two major wine-producing areas - Barolo and Barbaresco. The region also produces some exceptional white wines, with around one-third of Piemonte's wines being white, primarily made from Moscato

or Cortese grapes.

Hey there! Did you know that Dolcetto is Piedmont's friendliest wine? Bursting with fruit and impressively deep-colored, it's often quite alcoholic and perfect for growers. Unlike the fussy Nebbiolo, Dolcetto will ripen even on less favored sites, including north-facing ones. Its lower acidity gives it a sweet taste compared to Barbera, and it's best enjoyed within the first three to five years of its life. When looking at Piedmontese wine lists, Dolcetto d'Alba is one of the best examples, with Dolcetto di Ovada and Dolcetto di Dogliani DOCGs providing some of the best-value choices.

Producers in Piedmont are starting to plant little plots of "international" varieties like Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Riesling, and Viognier. It's not clear why they're importing outside grape varieties, but the rest of the world seems to be doing it too!

Barolo and Barbaresco are Piedmont's greatest wines, but they're not easy to understand and are made in small quantities.