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.
Wine Enthusiast, 95 points: Enticing aromas of violet, woodland berry, loose vineyard soil, wild mint and a hint of spearmint shape the intensely fragrant nose. The tense, young palate is still nervous but already boasts finesse, showing wild...
jamessuckling.com, 94 points: This is a longtime favorite, due to its purity of fruit and freshness, showing green-papaya, lime, lemon and green-apple character. Medium body. Crisp acidity. No wood. Steely and fruity at the end. Drink now.
Vinous, 94 points: A huge, thrilling wine, the 2011 Barbera del Monferrato Superiore Bricco Battista is endowed with magnificent depth and tons of personality. Layers of intense Barbera fruit burst from the glass in a racy, opulent wine...
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...
Vinous, 99 points: The 2013 Barolo Riserva Monfortino is brilliant, precise, focused and nuanced, with the classic sense of austerity it has always shown from barrel. In the 2013, readers will find a biting, vibrant Monfortino built along...
jamessuckling.com, 95 points: The fruit and depth of this wine is very pretty. With brightness and transparency. Plums, and cherries with dried flowers and spices. Medium to full body, bright fruit and acidity. A powerful finish. A fantastic 2014...
jebdunnuck.com, 100 points: The 2015 Barolo Sperss is another smoking good 2015 that shows the sunny warmth of the vintage in its massive bouquet of blackcurrants, kirsch liqueur, red plums, Asian spices, violets, and flowery incense. It reminds me...
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, 97 points: This has a lovely, alluring nose that evokes rose, iris, woodland berry, new leather and cake spice along with a whiff of camphor. It's focused and delicious, with juicy Marasca cherry, star anise, clove and mocha flavors...
jamessuckling.com, 92 points: A fruity and clean red with plenty of orange peel and chocolate undertones. Full body, dusty texture and a flavorful finish. Drink now.
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...
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...
Wine Enthusiast, 97 points: Underbrush, rose, violet, black cherry, balsamic notes, cinnamon, mint, leather and Mediterranean herbs are just some of the sensations that emerge. The juicy fruit is balanced with energy and velvety tannins. It's loaded...
Vinous, 95 points: The 2014 Barolo Via Nuova is a blend of six sites - Liste, Terlo, Ravera di Monforte, Mosconi, Gabutti and Baudana - all of which are bottled as vineyard designates by other growers. There is something about the art of...
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