Region |
Piedmont |
Country |
Italy |
Morphology of the land |
Plain: 27%
Hill: 30%
Mountain: 43%
|
Hectares of vineyard |
52,412 |
Climate and soil |
In the alpine area it is very cold. But the climate in the plains is continental, that is to say cold and often dry winters, hot summers, spring and winter rains. Often there are fog formations as it is characteristic in the Po Valley. The climate is mild on the banks of the lakes. |
History |
Piedmont is a region that boasts a rich history, with its roots in ancient times when the Etruscans settled. In the 11th century, it also became part of the Holy Roman Empire. In particular, it was home to many different noble families until the 15th century. |
Typical products |
Nebbiolo is the most noble grape of Piedmont, and it is grown in four of the seven DOCG districts of Piedmont: Barolo, Barbaresco, Gattinara, and Ghemme.
The most important example of Piedmontese Nebbiolo wines is Barolo. The young barolo generally has a deep crimson one that clears fast with age.
Barbaresco is often a lighter wine than Barolo. Barbaresco is supposed to be a feminine Barolo, more graceful, with more fruit and charm.
Gattinara, grown on the right bank of the Sesia River, is youthful and robust, but after a few years in the bottle softens and gains charm and refinement, with a violet note on the nose.
Barbera produces a wine with a simpler character than Nebbiolo, with high acidity but a relatively low tannin and extract concentration.
The tannin concentration in Dolcetto wines, "il piccolo dolce," varies greatly, but unlike Barbera wines, Dolcetto wines are frequently light with low acidity and a fragrance of black cherries and bitter almonds.
Grignolino produces a wine that seems to be rosé. The term grignolino comes from the native word "grignole," which translates to "vinacciolo" in the local dialect.
Bracchetto makes the wine of the same name, Bracchetto D'Acqui DOCG, in both sparkling and non-sparkling varieties.
Cortese (also known as Courteis) is a white grape planted in the region of Alessandria from which the Gavi DOCG is made. Cortese is a delicate fragrant wine with a light, harmonious, and nuanced flavour.
Moscato Bianco is used to make Asti Spumante, or Asti sparkling wine. It received the DOCG designation in 1993, together with Moscato D'Asti. |
Typical dishes |
The technique of producing one of the most essential and sought-after delicacies is a Piedmontese tradition.
Among these are the well-known Agnolotti del Plin. The term derives from the movements used to close the pasta. Agnolotti can be filled with a variety of ingredients, including lean roasted meat minced with spices or vegetables and fragrant herbs.
They are served with either a roast sauce or a truffle sauce. Cannelloni alla Babaroux (after the name of its inventor) is another popular meal composed of crepes made of milk, flour, and eggs that are rolled up and fried in the oven.
The fondue created with fontina cheese, delicately melted and often embellished with flakes of white truffle, is likewise quite distinctive.
Another traditional Piedmont meal is Brasato al Barolo, which is beef marinated and gently cooked in Barolo wine. |
Red grape varieties |
Barbera, Bonarda, Brachetto, Croatina, Dolcetto, Freisa, Gamay, Grignolino, Nebbiolo, Uva Rara, Vespolina
|
White grape varieties |
Arneis, Chardonnay, Cortese, Erbaluce, Favorita, Moscato Bianco/Moscato Reale
|
DOCG |
,
,
,
,
,
,
,
,
,
Diano d'Alba
,
,
Dolcetto di Ovada Superiore
,
Gattinara
,
,
,
,
|
DOC |
Alba
,
Albugnano
,
,
,
Boca
,
Bramaterra
,
Calosso
,
Canavese
,
Carema
,
Cisterna d'Asti
,
,
Collina Torinese
,
Colline Novaresi
,
Colline Saluzzesi
,
Cortese dell'Alto Monferrato
,
Coste della Sesia
,
,
,
Dolcetto d'Asti
,
Dolcetto delle Langhe Monregalesi
,
Dolcetto di Dogliani
,
,
Fara
,
Freisa d'Asti
,
Freisa di Chieri
,
Gabiano
,
,
Grignolino del Monferrato Casalese
,
,
Lessona
,
Loazzolo
,
Malvasia di Casorzo d'Asti
,
,
,
,
,
Pinerolese
,
Rubino di Cantavenna
,
Sizzano
,
Strevi
,
Terre Alfieri
,
Valli Ossolane
,
Valsusa
,
Verduno Pelaverga
|