Wine has been hgihly prized in Italy since antiquity. First treasured by the Greeks and then the Romans, it continues to hold sway today as a favoured and prestigious Italian beverage. For all fine wine lovers, Italian wines are a must-know reference, due to their style, which blends power and elegance, as well as their very promising ageing potential.
The appeal of Italian wines also lies in their sheer diversity. Italy comprises a tapestry of terroirs and wine-growing regions, lending an array of nuances and styles to the country’s fine wines. Piedmont wines are praised by critics and connoisseurs and have truly made a name for themselves.
Since ancient times, the region has been known for the quality of its terroirs. Thus, the vineyards of Piedmont have flourished through the ages and have always been meticulously nurtured by locals. Nevertheless, in the 19th century phylloxera decimated Piedmont, causing unprecedented devastation.
During the reconstruction of the vineyard, the preferred pruning method became the Guyot system, a french technique. The vines were then worked with great care and vigilance which enabled the wines of Piedmont to rise from the ashes.
If Piedmont wines are so famous, it is largely due to their exceptional geographical position. Poised on the foothills of the Alps and the Apennines, the region is sheltered from the Mediterranean winds and enjoys a very good amount of sunshine along with pleasant temperature variations.
The vineyards of Piedmont cover 60,000 hectares and include no less than 39 DOCs (the Italian equivalent of AOCs), 6 territorial appellations and 7 DOGCs (an appellation that groups together the best wines of the region). Among these 7 prestigious appellations are Barbaresco, Barolo and Brachetto for red wines, Gavi for white wines and Ghemme, Gattinara and Asti for sparkling wines.
Unlike other Italian wine regions such as Tuscany, Piedmont's wines are mainly made from local grape varieties. Nebbiolo offers very fine and age-worthy wines, Dolcetto lends a pleasant roundness and Barbera and Freisa are also featured in many red wines. In white wines, the finesse of the Arneis, Cortes, Favorita and Moscato grapes are highlighted.
Of the many wines from Piedmont, the best are undoubtedly the DOCG Barolo and Barbaresco, which are on a par with the finest Bordeaux wines.
Barolo wines are powerful and tannic and therefore require a few years of cellaring before they can express their full potential. In Barbaresco, a more Mediterranean appellation, the wines are more quickly accessible and showcase an elegant and fine expression. In these two appellations, the specifications require a long ageing period, even longer if the Riserva designation is mentioned.
Generally speaking, the wines of Piedmont offer an interesting, affordable and very qualitative alternative to many world-renowned Grands Crus.