Piedmont

Piedmont: Italy's north-west wine country

Piedmont lies in north-west Italy at the foot of the Alps, and its name means just that: "foot of the mountain". Its best vineyards are on the steep hills around Alba and Asti, in the Langhe, Roero and Monferrato. It is a region of small family estates, many making several wines from different grapes and hillsides.

Piedmont is best known for reds, but it also makes excellent whites and some of Italy's most charming sweet wine.

The reds

• Nebbiolo: the grape of Barolo and Barbaresco, with firm tannin and a long life. Langhe Nebbiolo gives you the same grape younger and for less. See the full Nebbiolo range.
• Barbera: Piedmont's everyday red, and perhaps its most versatile. High acidity and soft tannin make it easy with food. Barbera d'Alba tends to be richer; Barbera d'Asti is often brighter. Browse Barbera.
• Dolcetto: despite the name ("little sweet one"), it is a dry red, soft and made to drink young. Dogliani is its most serious home. Browse Dolcetto.

All the reds are in Piedmont red wine.

Whites, and Moscato d'Asti

• Arneis: a fragrant, medium-bodied white from the Roero and Langhe.
• Gavi: made from the Cortese grape in the south-east of the region; crisp and mineral. "Gavi di Gavi" means the grapes come from the commune of Gavi itself.
• Timorasso: a rediscovered white from the Colli Tortonesi with real depth and age-worthiness.
• Langhe Riesling and Chardonnay: several Barolo producers make these, including Massolino, Chionetti and Aldo Conterno, whose Bussiador is one of Italy's more serious Chardonnays.
• Moscato d'Asti: gently sparkling, sweet and low in alcohol, and a lovely way to finish a meal.

Browse Piedmont white wine.

Producers we stock

Massolino, Paolo Scavino, Luciano Sandrone, Poderi Aldo Conterno, Cavallotto, Fratelli Alessandria, Rocche Costamagna, Chionetti, Prunotto, Batasiolo, Lalù, Albino Rocca, Piero Busso, Castello di Neive, Cantina del Pino, Moccagatta and Antichi Poderi La Boidina.

What you get at each price

• Under $50: Dolcetto, Barbera d'Alba and d'Asti, Arneis, Gavi, Moscato d'Asti and Langhe Nebbiolo. Great value for drinking now.
• $50 to $120: single-vineyard and estate Barbera (Aldo Conterno's Conca Tre Pile, Sandrone, Lalù, Cavallotto), top Langhe Nebbiolo, and entry-level Barolo and Barbaresco.
• $120 to $300: single-vineyard Barolo and Barbaresco.
• $300 and up: Barolo Riserva, magnums and cellar icons.

Label terms

• DOCG / DOC: Italy's top two appellation levels. Barolo, Barbaresco, Gavi, Dogliani and Moscato d'Asti are DOCG; Barbera d'Alba and Langhe are DOC.
• d'Alba / d'Asti: the town the zone is named after, which often tells you the style.
• Superiore: higher minimum alcohol and longer ageing than the standard wine.
• Riserva: longer minimum ageing before release.
• Vigna / MGA: a named vineyard or officially recognised site.

Buying by the case, and wines on request

A mixed case of Piedmont is one of the best ways to drink well all year: Barbera and Dolcetto for weeknights, Arneis for summer, a few bottles of Barolo to put away. Delivery is free over $500. We order from many suppliers when you order, so if a producer or vintage isn't listed, ask us and we'll try to find it.

Piedmont wine FAQs

What wine is Piedmont famous for?

Piedmont is most famous for Barolo and Barbaresco, both made from Nebbiolo. It is also known for Barbera, Dolcetto, Gavi and Moscato d'Asti.

What is the difference between Barbera and Nebbiolo?

Barbera is soft in tannin and high in acidity and is usually drunk young. Nebbiolo is paler but much more tannic, and its best wines, Barolo and Barbaresco, are built to age.

Is Moscato d'Asti sweet?

Yes. Moscato d'Asti is sweet, lightly sparkling and low in alcohol, which makes it a natural partner for fruit desserts or a glass on its own.

What should I buy to start exploring Piedmont?

Start with a Barbera d'Alba, a Dolcetto and a Langhe Nebbiolo from the same producer; together they show the region's range for well under $60 a bottle.