Piedmont (or Piemonte) wines are made in the northwestern corner of Italy. With the Mediterranean Sea to the south and the Alps to the north and west, the Piedmont region enjoys a continental climate. This means cold winters and very warm, dry summers, with dense fog common in the fall. Most of the highly acclaimed Piedmont wines are from the south-central, Alba area, and also from the Asti and Alessandria, slightly farther east and north.
The region’s most lauded wines, Barolo and Barbaresco, come from the Nebbiolo grape, whose ancestral home is Piedmont. The best Barolo and Barbaresco wines are produced in small quantities on a number of mostly south-facing ridges sitting above the October fog (nebbia) in the Langhe hills around Alba (also the country’s white truffle capital). The considerably less expensive reds Dolcetto and Barbera have garnered wide acclaim in export markets in the last ten years--due in part to the elevated price tags of Barolo and Barbaresco.
The growing popularity of Piedmont gastronomy has also contributed to the interest in local wines. The innate acidity and taut structure of Piedmont wines make for an invigorating backdrop to the region’s hearty meat dishes. The wines’ complex earthy/ floral personality also works amicably with the other local star, the truffle. As the worlds of good wine and good food continue to merge, an area known for both is bound to prosper.
In terms of whites, Gavi is the most popular from Piedmont and it’s also the most widely available in the U.S. Gavi is produced almost entirely from the Cortese grape planted in the province of Alessandria, in the region’s extreme south. Gavi di Gavi wines are produced in vineyards bordering the town of Gavi. Most all of these whites are very dry, and feature a mid-level complexity and concentration. The best of them are crisp but they commonly come up short on verve and grip, and are best enjoyed early.
jamessuckling.com, 96 points: Complex aromas of smoke, ash and dark fruits with a precision and intensity. Layered and gorgeous. Loads of dark fruit and perfume. Full-bodied with round and wonderfully polished tannins. Wonderful length and richness...
jamessuckling.com, 97 points: A tight and focused Le Vigne with strawberry, orange-peel and floral aromas and hints of hazelnuts. Not giving it all now. Full-bodied, very intense and focused. Extremely long and polished, tannic finish. Drink in 2023...
jamessuckling.com, 97 points: Aromatic depth here, drawing you in with cascading layers of flowers and leaves, fresh-tilled earth laced with woody spices, white pepper and fresh red fruit. The palate carries a very sturdy frame of fine, dense tannins...
Vinous, 94 points: The 2015 Barbaresco Montestefano fleshes out in all dimensions, as it does in all the best years. Warm, rich and inviting, the 2015 is a wine of pure and total pleasure. Black cherry, plum, sage, lavender, menthol...
jamessuckling.com, 95 points: Extremely complex and intense aromas of sliced meat, flowers and ripe fruit, but perfumed at the same time. Full-bodied, very chewy and powerful with a long and flavorful finish. Needs four or five years to soften. Try in...
Wine Enthusiast, 96 points: Woodland berry, blue flower, sunbaked soil and a whiff of dark spice shape the nose. Structured and extremely elegant, the focused, impeccable palate doles out juicy red cherry, strawberry, baking spice and star anise set...
Wine Spectator, 94 points: Exotic aromas of rose, peony, raspberry and kirsch are shaded by juniper, wild thyme and tar accents. This is an elegant red, firmly structured yet balanced and long, with a persistent, detailed finish. Best from 2022...
jamessuckling.com, 95 points: A dense and layered red with plums, dried orange and lemon peel and a long and flavorful finish. Beautiful. Such impressive layers and a fantastic finish. Very exciting. Love the length. Available in February 2019. Drink...
jamessuckling.com, 95 points: This delivers a fresh and vibrant impression on the nose with ripe red cherries and a deep-set, rose perfume. The palate has impressive power and focus with chiseled, driving tannins that cut a straight line of pure, red...
Wine Enthusiast, 97 points: Woodland berry, iris, menthol and star anise aromas slowly take shape on this elegantly structured, savory red. Enveloping and delicious, the focused palate delivers raspberry compote, dried black cherry, licorice and...
jamessuckling.com, 97 points: This shows phenomenal structure to it with fantastic linear tannins that take this wine deep and long on the palate. It’s buttressed by a beautiful balance of ripe fruit characterized by strawberry and orange-peel...
jamessuckling.com, 98 points: The aromas are so complex yet subtle wtih wet earth, mushrooms and dark fruits. Dried flowers as well. Full body, chewy tannins that are ultra-fine and powerful, yet there is a finesse and beauty to them as I said from...
jamessuckling.com, 99 points: Aromas of asphalt and tar that turn to dried strawberries, plums and citrus fruit. Full body, yet agile and very refined with a beautiful balance of fruit, tannins and acidity. Extremely persistent and focused finish. All...
jamessuckling.com, 93 points: This is an exotic red with spices, dried flowers and dark berries. Full body, round and soft tannins and a lovely fresh acidity at the end. Beautiful balance. A gorgeous baby Barolo from the master. Drink now.
Wine Enthusiast, 98 points: Dark-skinned berry, pipe tobacco, a hint of menthol and a whiff of blue flower slowly take shape in the glass. Full bodied, with the firm's hallmark finesse, the smooth savory palate boasts succulent morello cherry...
Showing 15 of 32 wines
Dear Customer We are having problems processing your request. Please contact our sales office between 9 AM and 5 PM (PST) for further assistance at 1.888.859.4637.
Good selection of wines. Nice to be able to store and then ship the wine at a convenient time. The ordering was very easy.
-Laurence C., November 2019
Please close this tab