Piedmont
Piedmont
Tucked away in north-west Italy just south of the city of Turin lies the treasured wine region of Piedmont, which boasts the highest number of quality DOC and DOCG regions in Italy. Surrounded by mountains and hills on nearly all sides, Piedmont has its own micro-climate, with long hot summers followed by wet autumns and cold, foggy winters. Piedmont is known for wines made in a diverse range of styles. Finicky, tannic Nebbiolo is at the heart of the region and the famous villages of Barolo and Barbaresco make the finest examples of this long-lived red, with its tarry, floral character. Barbera, the most planted variety in the region, has abundant cherry flavours and fresh acidity, while the aromatic, crisp Gavi, a white wine made from the normally unheralded Cortese grape, comes to life in Piedmont. The runaway success story of recent times in Piedmont is sweetish, low-alcohol Moscato d'Asti, with a light sparkle and aromatic character.
