Some of Italy’s most famous wines are from the Piedmont wine region, with Barolo and Barbaresco wines in particular the most recognizable names. However there are many more varieties produced in this region of Italy, and as good as Barolo and Barbaresco are, you should definitely try some other Piemontese wines!
Given the high number of grape varieties, styles and types of terroir, it can be difficult to know where to start. We decided to create this introductory guide to the different wine regions of Piemonte to give you an idea of what to look for and some of the best examples from each of the sub-regions. Cin cin!
Piemonte & Turin are waiting for you!
Embark on an unforgettable journey through the heart of Italy’s northwest with our exclusive Turin and Piemonte tours. Discover the rich history, stunning architecture, and energetic culture of Turin, the elegant capital of Piemonte.
Wander through the picturesque vineyards and rolling hills of Piemonte’s renowned wine regions, home to some of Italy’s most celebrated wines, including Barolo and Barbaresco. Whether you’re a history lover, a wine enthusiast, or simply seeking an authentic Italian experience, our expertly crafted tours offer a perfect blend of exploration, education, and indulgence.
Join us and uncover the hidden gems and timeless traditions of this captivating region.
DOC and DOCG Status
Before we get into details of the wine regions of Piedmont, let’s quickly talk about DOC and DOCG labels.
When talking about Italian wines, you will often see these two classifications. These are a method of categorizing the quality of the wine and come with specific rules that must be met for wines to be labeled as either DOC or DOCG.
DOC stands for Denominazione di Origine Controllata, of which there are over 300 Italian wines. 41 of these are from one of the Piedmont wine regions. The higher DOCG stands for Denominazione di Origine Controllata e Garantita, which is the next level up and is reserved for only the highest quality wines. There are around 70 of these and 19 are from Piemonte.
These classifications come with certain rules that the winemakers must follow, and DOCG wines are tasted yearly by government officials to make sure they are still worthy. While this should in theory guarantee excellent wines, this isn’t 100% the case. Not all DOC wines will be top quality and not all non-DOC wines will be bad!
Our advice is to not put too much weight on these labels. Try what you want and you’ll soon understand what you like and dislike.
All About Piemonte
Piemonte is the second-largest of the Italian regions (only Sicily is larger), stretching from the Alps in the north down to the flat plains of the Po Valley in northern Italy.
The mountains and hills in the Piedmont region create a protective barrier from the cold further north, and the sub-alpine foothills offer many sunny slopes for planting vines. Combined with the classically continental climate, with long, hot summers and cool winters, it’s no surprise that Piemonte is one of the most important wine-producing areas in Italy.
Piedmont’s Wine History
The Piedmont region has long had a serious wine-making tradition, dating back to the Middle Ages and beyond. Local grapes were cultivated by the ancient Romans but we get our first glimpse of the wines we know today in the 1200’s. Documents found in a castle in Rivoli, west of Turin, mention the famous Nebbiolo grape, so there is a very long history of cultivating these grape varieties.
In the 19th century, the connections between neighboring France and Piemonte led to French experts introducing new winemaking techniques and ideas to the Piedmont wine region. The legacy of the French influence still can be felt today, which is one of the reasons Piedmontese wines are so exceptional.
Today the Piedmont wine region is made up of many small areas, each of which is home to specific grape varietals so let’s jump in!
Langhe
Producing wines that are recognized for their excellent quality all over the world, the Langhe area is probably the best-known Piedmont wine region.
Found in the southern part of Piemonte, the Langhe region is hilly, providing lots of different slopes where vines can flourish. There are plenty of distinct micro-climates here, which, along with the variation in soil types, allow a large amount of unique wine production to take place.
Barolo
Possibly the most famous wine from Piemonte and definitely one of our absolute favorites, we’re starting with Barolo.
Made from 100% Nebbiolo grapes, of all the Piedmont red wines, Barolo stands out. The growing area is higher and cooler than its neighbors, and the long growing season (grapes are not harvested until later in October) contributes to the high acidity and robust tannins in the wine.
One of the original wines to achieve DOCG status when it was introduced in 1980, Barolo red wines are complex and powerful. Better after a long aging time, Barolo is iconic for a reason and you absolutely must try some when you visit the Piedmont region.
Barbaresco
Barbaresco neighbors Barolo and are also 100% Nebbiolo wines, but Barbaresco is not just a different version of Barolo.
Barbaresco has a warmer and drier climate than Barolo which means the wine grapes ripen earlier and tend to come with a slightly fruitier and sweeter finish. It also requires less aging than Barolo, 24 months minimum versus 38 months minimum for Barolo.
The final red wine is a little lighter while being no less complex, which makes it a very popular variety of Piedmont wine which you can discover on this special experience.
Barbera d’Alba
The town of Alba, south of Turin, gives its name to multiple wines from the region.
Barbera d’Alba is primarily made from Barbera grapes (at least 85% Barbera is required), with Nebbiolo making up the difference. When younger, it is ruby red with fruity notes of cherry and high acidity, but it also ages well into a more balanced wine.
Dolcetto d’Alba
The name Dolcetto suggests sweetness, but these grapes produce a semi dry red wine that is an excellent everyday wine.
A widely planted grape in Piemonte, Dolcetto grows well in cooler locations and is grown in areas where Nebbiolo doesn’t do so well. Needing a much shorter aging time than Barolo and Barbaresco, Dolcetto often acts as a back-up for producers of those high quality wines, as they can produce bottles of Dolcetto d’Alba DOC alongside the others.
With a lower alcohol volume, soft and fruity flavors and a hint of sweetness, Dolcetto does not have the reputation of its neighbors but is a very pleasant wine.
You may also see Dolcetto labeled as Dogliani DOCG or Diano d’Alba. These names refer to specific locations in the Piedmont wine region, but the wines are still 100% Dolcetto.
Monferrato
The Monferrato region in Piemonte is home to more excellent red wines but also some of the best sparkling wines to be found anywhere in Italy.
Centered around the town of Asti, Monferrato’s sub regions range from tall hills to river valleys and tend to experience hot summers and very cold winters. Lots of different indigenous wines are grown here, and along with the wine culture, Monferrato is also the home of many of Piedmont’s most popular dishes like tajarin pasta, agnolotti al plin and bagna càuda.
Asti
There are a few wines with the name Asti on the label, but these are not versions of the same wine.
Firstly, when a bottle simply has Asti on it, without any qualifiers, this refers to sparkling white wines made with the Moscato grape. Originally this wine was called Asti spumante, but when it was taken up to a DOCG the ‘spumante’ was dropped from the name.
Fairly low in alcohol but not overly sweet, Asti is a lovely dessert wine but can also pair well with spicy food and cheeses.
The town of Canelli is particularly famous for their underground ‘cathedrals’ where thousands of bottles of sparkling wine are cellared – join us to visit them for yourself!
Moscato d’Asti
While also made with Moscato bianco grapes, Moscato d’Asti is its own distinct wine.
This wine is lower in alcohol volume than Asti and less fizzy – classed as ‘frizzante’ rather than ‘spumante’. Delicate floral notes combine with sweetness to create something truly special.
Moscato d’Asti that is not from the Piedmont wine region is often packed full of sugar (we have tried some truly awful bottles that used the Moscato name) so you may think you don’t like this variety. When you’re in Piemonte make sure to try some of the authentic, original wine – we’re sure you’ll change your mind!
Barbera d’Asti
Barbera d’Asti DOCG is another type of Asti wine altogether.
Named for its proximity to the town of Asti, this wine must be made with a minimum of 90% Barbera grapes. Resulting in a dry, powerful red wine, the wine production method creates a less acidic variety than other Barbera wines.
Piemonte & Turin are waiting for you!
Embark on an unforgettable journey through the heart of Italy’s northwest with our exclusive Turin and Piemonte tours. Discover the rich history, stunning architecture, and energetic culture of Turin, the elegant capital of Piemonte.
Wander through the picturesque vineyards and rolling hills of Piemonte’s renowned wine regions, home to some of Italy’s most celebrated wines, including Barolo and Barbaresco. Whether you’re a history lover, a wine enthusiast, or simply seeking an authentic Italian experience, our expertly crafted tours offer a perfect blend of exploration, education, and indulgence.
Join us and uncover the hidden gems and timeless traditions of this captivating region.
Other Wine Regions of Piemonte
The wines made within the Langhe and Monferrato regions are some of the most famous wine varieties made in Piemonte, but there are many others that you may not have heard of before. Here are a few of our top choices:
Canavese
Most Piedmont wines are produced in the southern part of the region, but Canavese is one of the exceptions. North of Turin, red, white, and rosé wines are produced under the Canavese name, but it is the Canavese Bianco we particularly want to highlight.
Made entirely from the native Erbaluce grapes, this is distinctively a Piedmont wine. Canavese Bianco is delicate and light, with a lower alcohol volume and a semi-dry taste.
Ghemme
Ghemme DOCG is from an area in the north west of Piemonte, which has long been known for its fertile land. Sunny hills are the ideal growing location for the Nebbiolo grape, although in this part of Piemonte it is called Spanna.
Ghemme wines must be made of a minimum 75% Spanna (although some are 100%) and require at least 36 months of aging. It is a strong and robust wine that greatly benefits from a long aging process. If you enjoy Ghemme, try and taste a Riserva which has to be aged for longer.
Gattinara
Located across the river Sesia from Ghemme is the town of Gattinara, which gives its name to a similar wine. Gattinara DOCG is also primarily made with Spanna grapes, but with a minimum of 90%. These local grapes grow very well on the steep slopes and volcanic soil in this wine region, producing excellent Nebbiolo wines.
If you have the opportunity to try Gattinara and Ghemme together and appreciate their differences despite their close geographical proximity, this is a wonderful way to understand the wide spectrum of Piedmont wines!
Hopefully, this introduction to the many vintages on offer across all the wine regions of Piedmont has made you want to learn more about the different options!
The best way to do this is to taste locally made wines and talk to the producers themselves, which is why we offer a variety of Piemonte experiences that allow you to do exactly that. Click here for more details on all our Piedmont tours, or get in touch today to talk about designing a custom experience!
