Nestled between the Alps to the north and the Apennines to the south, Piedmont is the homeland of the grape varieties Nebbiolo, Barbera, and Arneis. The vineyards of Langhe-Roero and Monferrato are among the few wine regions included in the UNESCO World Heritage list, alongside Saint-Émilion in Bordeaux and Tokaj in Hungary.
Barolo
“The king of wines and the wine of kings,” Barolo is considered one of the best wines in the world. It is made from pure Nebbiolo grapes, which are so rich in tannins that its wines need to be aged for years in oak barrels, and then in bottles, before they can be drunk.
Barolo is grown only in a small DOCG (Denominazione di Origine Controllata e Garantita), and there are strict rules regarding its production. Standard Barolo must be aged for at least three years, spending at least two years in oak barrels, while Barolo Riserva must spend five years in barrels. It should then be left in the bottle for 7-10 years before drinking.
The best winemakers produce only a few thousand bottles of this exquisite wine each year. Demand always exceeds supply, leading to rising prices.
What does Barolo taste like? Barolo is a very complex wine with an aroma that some describe as “resin and roses.” Dried black fruits, such as cherry and prunes, combine with spices: licorice, cinnamon, and cloves, as well as aromas of sweet tobacco, leather, and chocolate.
Barbaresco
If Barolo is the king of wines, then Barbaresco is the queen. It is also made from Nebbiolo, but while Barolo is strict and muscular, Barbaresco is softer. The Barbaresco vineyards are shaped like a horseshoe around the small town of Neive. The sharp tannins of Nebbiolo tend to soften more quickly in Barbaresco, allowing it to be aged for a year less than Barolo before bottling.
What does Barbaresco taste like? Its aroma is a powerful combination of dried flowers: rosehip and violet, dried fruits: prunes, figs, and strawberries, herbs and spices: licorice, pepper, and cloves surrounded by rich aromas of tobacco, vanilla, chocolate, and leather.
Barbera
Barbera is another popular grape variety in Piedmont, accounting for almost half of the grapevines grown in the region. Although it is often blended into table wines throughout Italy, its best qualities are showcased in the Monferrato region of Piedmont. The finest Barbera wines come from the DOCG Barbera d’Asti – the Asti subzone, which recently also received DOCG status. Another excellent example of wine comes from Barbera d’Alba DOC.
What does Barbera wine taste like? Barbera, with high acidity and low tannins, is usually light and refreshing. Although it has a dark color, it tastes like forest cherries, raspberries, and blueberries, with a warming base of vanilla and spices from oak aging.
Arneis
The best examples of this aromatic white grape come from Roero – located on the other side of the Tanaro River from Barolo and Barbaresco. After World War II, Arneis nearly went extinct. It was saved only because a few vineyards preserved plantings of this sweet grape variety to divert pests from the more valuable Nebbiolo vines. It has remarkably recovered, and today it is the most prestigious white grape in the region.
What does Arneis taste like? Delightfully crisp and refreshing, it has a subtle aroma of fresh pear, apricots, and flowers. A hint of hazelnut adds complexity to these wines.
