About the Piedmont wine region
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.
Very exotic Parusso Barolo as always, with dried fruit, strawberries and tangerines. Full-bodied with chewy tannins and a powerful, intense finish. This is really structured. Needs four or five years to soften. Try in 2025.
The 2013 Barolo Cerretta is a bit more translucent but also more powerful than the Rapèt, which seems to also heighten the impression of acidity and tannin. Red cherry, cranberry, white pepper, mint and freshly cut...
The 2017 Barolo Castelletto captures all of the savory and mineral complexity of this high-altitude site. Ethereal and gracious, the Castelletto has so much to offer. Pine, mint, blood orange, crushed raspberry and star...
This is really transparent with sweet strawberries, flowers and orange peel, as well as some conifer and pine-nut undertones. Full-bodied and layered with intense young tannins, intertwined with bright fruit. Great...
A very intense Barbaresco with super depth and intensity. Lots of ripe berries, chocolate, hazelnuts and smoked meat. Full-bodied, layered and powerful. Drink from 2023 and onwards.
The classic Bruno Rocca 2017 Barbaresco surprisingly reveals cool-vintage aromas from what was in fact a warm growing season. When given ample time to open, this pretty Nebbiolo offers a long list of aromatic...
Plenty of blackberry and black cherry on the nose with violet and lavender undertones. Full-bodied with powerful tannins that flow across the palate. Ever enveloping and imposing, yet polished and impressive. Drink after...
A pristine red, displaying great clarity to the strawberry, cherry, rose and menthol flavors. By the time this evolves to the finish, the tannins make their mark, yet never overstep their bounds. In the end this is...
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...
The distinctive amphitheater that is Gavarini in Monforte d’Alba is situated just north of Ginestra. The 2017 Barolo Gavarini Chiniera is nuanced with perfectly ripe cherry, cinnamon, cedar, and menthol. It delivers a...
La Spinetta’s 2017 Barbaresco Valeirano is classy, elegant and polished from start to finish. Freshly cut flowers, mint, sweet red berry fruit and blood orange are some of the many notes that grace this super-expressive...
I always look forward to tasting the wines of Bruno Rocca and his family because they are always so expressive of vintage and territory. The 2018 Barbaresco gives us quite a few blanket descriptors that can be applied to...
Gorgeous aromas of dried flowers and strawberries with some cherries and hints of iron. Full-bodied. Chewy and creamy-textured at the same time. Attractive berry and walnut aftertaste. From organically grown grapes. Drink...
Forthcoming aromas of rose, cherry and licorice are the hallmarks of this supple red. Bright and well defined, with notes of tobacco, cut hay and tar adding detail. Solidly built, this should develop nicely over the next...
Lovely barbaresco, with all the typical nebbiolo characteristics, such as red berries, mushrooms and dried leaves, as well as hints of bitter orange peel and spice. All this follows through to the medium-to full-bodied...
This is really something, with superb concentration of fruit and tannins. It’s powerful yet harmonious with a muscular sense and agile feel. Blackberries and strawberries with bark and wet-earth undertones. Goes on for a...
A beautiful, focused red with intensity and brilliance, showing cherry, watermelon, truffle and mushroom aromas and flavors. It’s full-bodied, yet tight and refined. Long finish. Try after 2023.
The Ca' Rome' 2016 Barolo Cerretta opens to a deep ruby color and pretty aromatic intensity. The bouquet is authentic and pristine with wild berry aromas, blood orange, aniseed and campfire ash. There's even a cheerful...
This is dense and tight with layers of berry, dried orange-peel, meat and chocolate character, yet ever so refined and complex. Full-bodied with firm tannins and a long, flavorful finish. Give it three or four years to...
A tight but complex nose of mixed berries with sweet, creamy spice and turkish delight. Some herbs in the mix, too, even a hint of wild onion. Medium-to full-bodied with a dense, silky palate that’s full of flavor...
If you thought Barbaresco was only floral and graceful, think again — this delivers a plethora of intense fruit. Ripe boysenberries, cherry compote, caramelized oranges and black raspberries are all thrown into the mix in...
The 2018 Barbera d'Alba is dark, fleshy and wonderfully inviting. Black cherry, mocha, licorice, spice and new leather are all kicked up in this plush, racy Barbera from the Rocca family. This is beautifully done. --...
The 2017 Barolo Cerretta is a dark, mysterious wine. Black cherry, lavender, sage, mint and licorice bring out a darker, more muscular side of Nebbiolo. Firm, driving tannins add to an impression of gravitas and power...
From the township of Novello and from what is now widely recognized as one of the denomination's top vineyard sites, this stunning wine offers intense aromas of wild berry, new leather, flowers, camphor and grilled herb...
The 2010 Barolo Riva del Bric shows a high degree of floral intensity with pressed violets and rose followed by bright red fruit and distant spice. The maceration period is relatively brief (15 days) and this has helped...
Forest floor, cedar, new leather and camphor aromas take shape in the glass on this compelling, earthy red. Showing a Barolo-like structure, the full-bodied, savory palate has an alluring wildness and energy to it...
Black-skinned berry, iris, leather, hazelnut and menthol aromas whiff of forest floor. The smooth, full-bodied palate shows tension and finesse, offering fleshy black cherry, espresso and licorice alongside fine-grained...
The 2017 Barbaresco, sourced from 100 hectares and 54 growers, was aged for 24 months in large oak casks. It offers layers of aromatics woven together with tar, forested earth, dried cherry, and sweet tobacco. The palate...
The Parusso 2016 Barolo offers that distinctive Parusso nose that I have come to understand over the years I have been tasting these wines. There is a touch of ripe fruit, dried grape skins and stems that pop out over...
Sweet berries, smoke, cedar and olives on the nose. Floral. Full-bodied with firm, chewy tannins and a pretty background and ripe fruit. Flavorful finish. Hints of bitter citrus and smoke, too. Very complex. Powerful for...
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