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.
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...
Wine Enthusiast, 96 points: Aromas of leather, forest floor, mature black-skinned berry, graphite and pipe tobacco form the nose on this classic expression of Barolo. On the structured, delicious palate, taut, polished tannins support juicy Marasca...
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, 95 points: The 2015 Barolo Ginestra shows real complexity and depth. It exudes a profound nature in general. Mineral tones lead the clean, fresh entry, followed by more savory notes. This is from Paolo Conterno's home vineyard cru...
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, 97 points: (97+ points) This is a true beauty. The Giuseppe Mascarello 2015 Barolo Monprivato borrows from the best of the Nebbiolo playlist. You get precision, abundance, focus and depth presented in proud and elegant fashion...
jamessuckling.com, 96 points: Perfumed and very bright with dried flowers, dark berries and a sandalwood undertone. Full body, integrated tannins and a soft and polished finish. Very pretty and structured. Harmonious. Measured. Drink in 2023 or later.
Vinous, 95 points: Manzone's 2015 Barolo Castelletto is truly impressive. Bold, rich and pulsing with energy, the 2015 captures all the vibrancy that makes Barolos from Castelletto so distinctive, with an extra touch of mid-palate...
Wine Enthusiast, 97 points: Enticing scents of rose, iris, perfumed berry and an earthy whiff of truffle shape the fragrant nose on this dazzling wine. The delicious, full-bodied palate boasts structure and a weightless elegance, delivering juicy...
Wine Enthusiast, 94 points: Compelling aromas of fragrant blue flower, red berry, crushed herb, new leather and tilled earth shape the nose. On the savory, full-bodied palate, taut, fine-grained tannins and fresh acidity frame flavors of ripe...
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...
Vinous, 94 points: The 2015 Barolo Bussia is a wine of power, density and gravitas, all of which come through in its decidedly vertical feel and rather somber expression. A whole range of balsamic-infused notes wrap around a core of dark...
Wine Spectator, 94 points: A pretty red, leading with rose, strawberry and cherry aromas and flavors allied to an elegant frame, this is firmly structured, if a bit lacier in texture than many 2015s, with accents of earth, tobacco and tar. Ends...
Vinous, 96 points: The 2015 Barbaresco Vigneto Gallina is absolutely gorgeous. Vivid and nuanced on the palate, the 2015 is fresh, juicy and flat-out delicious. The Gallina is often a shy wine that needs time in bottle to truly blossom, but...
jamessuckling.com, 96 points: Gorgeous aromas of dark berries, cedar and very ripe fruit that follow through to a full body, deep and dense tannins and a long, flavorful finish. Plush. Drink in 2022 and beyond.
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, 95 points: The 2015 Barbaresco Starderi Vürsù is a wine of towering stature, girth and power. The wine's tannic presence is very evident, and that undeniable structure is broad and underlying. I would suggest putting this bottle...
Showing 15 of 31 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.
Great selection of rare and highly rated wines. Ability to quickly find large format wines and narrow the results by various criteria was very helpful! The site was easy to filter and sort by criteria to quickly narrow down the amazing selection to find the wines I wanted quickly.
-Jason P., October 2019