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Piedmont competes with Tuscany for a bewitching record: be the Italian region with the largest production of DOCG wines.
DOCG wines of Piedmont are well known all over the world, and Barbera and Barolo are the most representative names of them.
Piedmont in general and Monferrato in particular produces several types of Barbera wine: they are considered the most famous wines in this territory. The production of this wine goes back to seventeenth century. Today, his DOC’s denominations are “Barbera d’Asti” and “Barbera del Monferrato” (DOCG), respectively typical from the provinces of Asti and Alessandria (in the versions called “superior” the wine is improved in cellar during a period of 12 months at least) and “Piemonte Barbera”, whose production extends to the province of Cuneo, that is lighter and lightly bubbly sometimes.
Speaking about Barolo, we’ll say this wine is produced from Nebbiolo vines grown in the province of Cuneo. After an improvement of 38 months (62 for “Reserve” type) we obtain an important and vigorous red wine, that is able to perform at best after long years of aging. Balanced, smooth, persistent, it can keep its freshness even after 20 years from being bottled.
But Piedmont is not only Barbera and Barolo: we mention Barbaresco, also produced in the province of Cuneo employing again Nebbiolo grapes. This one is a very important red wine, powerful and refined with an extra-wide bouquet, and gets richer of tertiary sweet-spiced flavours thanks to the long-time improvement in wood. Nebbiolo is the common source for many DOCG wines of Piedmont. From this beautiful vine we obtain also Gattinara and Ghemme. Piedmont does not only produce great elaborated reds : besides Nebbiolo family, we have to remember the Dolcetto of Dogliani and Brachetto d’Acqui. The last one is very flavoured, and must be drunk young, when is still ruby red, so that you can fully enjoy his fresh and elegant bouquet.
If we point our attention on white wines, it is mandatory to mention Asti, sweet sparkling wine obtained from white muscatel grapes. Somebody wrongly thinks this is only a “Christmas wine”, but actually it is drunk all over Italy every season of year. As a proof of the amazing variety of Piedmontese wines, we can count several “Cortesi”, in particular Gavi, fresh whites wines that should be enjoyed young, very young. The yellow straw colour with light green hues and the striking freshness make Cortese an ideal aperitif wine.
Piedmont DOCG wines:
Asti, Barbaresco, Barbera d’Asti, Barbera del Monferrato superiore, Barolo, Brachetto d’Acqui, Dolcetto di Ovada superiore, Dogliani, Gattinara, Gavi, Ghemme, Roero