Piedmont is the major shareholder of the Italian wine economy being responsible for most of the varieties of DOC and DOCG-certified wines. It produces wine that is qualitatively outstanding and highly distinctive. It is the home of the oldest and noblest of grape varieties, ‘Nebbiolo’ which is responsible for Italy’s greatest red wines. The region is well-known for its eminent and full-bodied red wines.
Piedmont has held the most significant role in the cultural development of Northern Italy from the medieval era. The region enjoyed relative cultural and political stability during a period of conflict in Southern Europe and was the pioneer of the Italian industrial revolution. Piedmont’s highly refined wine culture became a symbol of its nobility.
A Journey Through the Nobility and Diversity of Italian Wine
The year is 218 BC,
Hannibal Barca descended into the Po Valley in Piedmont after crossing the Alps. After having faced innumerable hardships over a long journey, his host has the feast of their lives cherishing the livestock, wheat and the high-quality wine of Piedmont. The wine that this greatest enemy of Rome procured in Piedmont was secured in large reserves only for special occasions for the next 17 years of Hannibal’s campaign across the Italian peninsula.
Wine ages gracefully and if the quality of wine from Piedmont was significantly superior all the way back in the 3rd century BC; one can only wonder how much the quality must have improved with the evolution of wine-making, and the knowledge of grape varieties and how to grow them over a period of two millennia…
Barolo – The King of Italian Wine
When one thinks about Italian wine, it is impossible not to think about Barolo. Barolo is the noblest of all Italian wines being a dramatic and powerful expression of purely Nebbiolo grapes. The wine was termed ‘the king of wines’ by its admirers and always held a privileged position among the nobility of Turin as well as the ruling House of Savoy which contributed to the development of wineries producing Barolo. The association with the reigning dynasty of Italy has given Barolo a majestic aura and a mystique that it has retained to this day.
It gets its name from the village of Barolo where it was first produced. It was elevated to DOCG status in 1980. Traditionally, Barolo was produced through a long process where the fermentation and maceration lasted as long as two months followed by three years of ageing in wood. However, the modern process follows a 10-14 days fermentation with 2 years of ageing in wood barrels. It has a mean alcoholic strength of 14% with vintage bottles exceeding 15% ABV.
Barolo is a rich, concentrated, and heady wine with pronounced tannins and acidity. It has a striking garnet hue resembling a deep ruby red with complex aromas of plums, dried roses, tar, liquorice, and hints of the local white truffles.
Barbera – The People’s Wine
Barbera is termed ‘the wine of the people’ of Piedmont for its versatility and abundant production. It is named after the Barbera grape which is the most widely planted grape variety in the region being 70 per cent of all grapes produced in the region for table wine. Barbera wine accounts for about 40 percent of the wine produced in the region in one year.
The wine comes in a ranging variety of styles from a young and spritz table wine to a powerful and intense red wine with extended ageing. It has a relatively low alcoholic strength at 12-13.5%.
Barbera has a deep ruby red colour and is a full-bodied wine with notable low tannins but pronounced acidity with a neutral aroma of tart cherry, liquorice, blackberries, and hints of black pepper.
Barbaresco – The Prince of Piedmont
Barbaresco is another powerful red wine based on the Nebbiolo grape from different soils around the village of Barbaresco. It is a noble and prestigious wine, considered the second-best red wine in the region after Barolo.
Barbaresco also gained recognition as a DOCG wine in 1980. The Nebbiolo in Barbaresco ripens faster owing to the fertile limestone-based soil. As a result, Barbaresco produces more successful vintages in a decade than other wines while it is at its best between 5 to 10 years. Traditionally, it must be aged for 2 years with at least 9 months in the barrel. It has a lower alcoholic strength of 12.5-13.5%.
Barbaresco is lighter-bodied wine with relatively lower tannins and pronounced acidity. It has a pale garnet hue with a complex fruity aroma of strawberries, raspberries, cherries, dried roses, and light notes of anise.
Moscato d’Asti – The Queen of Piedmont
Moscato d’Asti is a fragrant, sweet, gently fizzy white dessert wine produced from the Moscato Bianco grape in the region around the town of Asti. It gained recognition as a DOCG wine in 1993. It is lightly carbonated with a considerably low alcoholic strength of 5.5%.
Moscato d’Asti has a fruity aroma of peaches, orange blossoms ad Meyer lemons with notes of honeysuckle. As a result, the wine is more fragrant and goes well with fruits or fruit-based desserts.
Explore the Rich Diversity and Unique Characteristics of Piedmont Wines
If you are looking for the perfect way to enjoy Italian wine, Piedmont is one of the best places to enjoy a glass of this nectar. With the silhouettes of the Alps or Apennines wrapping their arms around the region and the warmth of the Mediterranean breeze from the south, and the rich culture of food and wine; it proves to be a picturesque scene. The only thing missing in this picture-perfect frame here is you and a glass of wine in your hand!
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