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, 92 points: Crushed flowers, tobacco, mint, licorice and dried cherries lift from the glass in Pira's 2009 Barolo Pira Vecchie Viti. Interestingly, within Roagna's range the old vines in Pajè confer power, but here they seem to add...
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, 92 points: The 2009 Langhe Larigi (Barbera) comes across as a bit understated. Dark plums cherries leather and licorice meld together nicely in the glass. Today the 2009 doesn't quite have the opulence or radiance of many wines in...
Vinous, 92 points: The 2009 Barbaresco Pajé Vecchie Viti shows the heat of the vintage in its powerful, imposing structure. There is plenty of depth and intensity in the glass, but at the same time, the flavors are also more forward. The...
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, 94 points: With the 2009 Barolo Mosconi there’s no doubt you are staring Nebbiolo straight in the eye. The wine shows enormous energy and a tight, tonic quality of fruit that is laced with dried cherry, herbal tones, pressed...
Wine Enthusiast, 95 points: This is a stunning wine with intense floral scents of iris, violet and rose layered with hints of mint and coffee. The palate is rich and vibrant, with a core of black cherry wrapped in cinnamon and spice. This is...
Showing 5 of 5 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.
JJ Buckley and Geoff Binder are pinnacle players in the wine world. They exceed the expectations of the consumer. I find it a pleasure to work with them.
-Wesley C., September 2018
Please, close this tab