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.
Antonio Galloni's Vinous, 94 points: The 2009 Barbaresco Riserva Baluchin fleshes out beautifully in the glass. Round, sensual and inviting, the 2009 benefits from the warmer growing season, which gives it a bit more depth and richness than the 2008. Sweet...
Wine Enthusiast, 94 points: This elegant Barolo from Verduno’s famed Monvigliero hill shows plenty of character. It has layers of dark cherry, white pepper, mint, spice and chocolate. This has a wonderful creamy, silky texture and is just loaded...
Antonio Galloni's Vinous, 95 points: The 2009 Barolo Rocche dell'Annunziata/Torriglione explodes from the glass with freshly cut flowers, spices, mint and sweet red berries, all hallmarks of this great site. In 2009 the Rocche is pure sensuality and grace...
Antonio Galloni's Vinous, 96 points: The 2009 Barolo Cerequio is unusually rich and powerful it this vintage. A wine of breadth, expansiveness, and volume, the 2009 boasts stunning depth and resonance from start to finish. The aromas and flavors remain pure...
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...
jamessuckling.com, 98 points: Lots of ripe berry character from the 2009 vintage with chocolate and cedar. Tobacco too. Full body, round and soft tannins and a light raisin and prune aftertaste. A big and juicy style. Decadent and sexy. Pretty crazy...
Vinous, 92 points: The 2009 Barolo Margheria is racy, delineated and energetic. Sweet red berries, flowers, mint and licorice jump from the glass. There is an attractive juiciness in the Margheria. I imagine the 2009 will drink well...
Antonio Galloni's 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, 96 points: The 2009 Barolo Romirasco is an incredibly rich and powerful wine and by far the most elaborate of the bunch. Those oak-driven notes of spice and toasted nut will require many more years of bottle aging until they fully...
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