Piedmont Wine Region, Italy: 10 Best Bottles, Signature Grapes

Piedmont is the sixth-largest wine-producing region in Italy.

Also known as “Italy’s Burgundy,” a wide range of wine styles are born out of the region’s terroir - from the finest reds to some of the most vibrant, light whites. 

If you’re a wine lover seeking out stellar Italian brands, you should definitely go on a Piedmont wine tour!  

In this article, we’ll explore Piedmont’s distinctive terroir, wine regions, prominent grape varieties, and wine styles. We’ll also check out the ten best Piedmont wines to try, the investment potential of these wines, and the best foods to pair with them.

Piedmont’s Unique Terroir and Wine Regions

The Piedmont region borders the Alps in the north and the Apennine Mountains in the south. Its dominant wine-producing areas are Alba, Asti, and Alessandria. 

The wine country has substantial diurnal temperature variation between the cold Alps slopes and the warm Mediterranean shore.

While the limestone soil of La Morra and Barolo communes produces refined and elegant wines, Serralunga dAlba, Monforte dAlba, and Castiglione Falletto have sandstone soil ideal for making well-structured, bolder wines.

Piedmont comprises five major vineyard zones with 41 DOC and 18 DOCG wine regions. These five zones are:

• Canavese 
• Langhe
• Coste della Sesia
• Colline Novaresi
• Monferrato 

The prominent Piedmont DOC vineyard sites are Langhe Nebbiolo, Dolcetto d’Alba, La Morra, and Nebbiolo dAlba. 

The region’s prestigious DOCG vineyard communes include Barbera dAsti, Serralunga dAlba, Barbaresco, Barolo, Gavi, and many more.

Signature Piedmont Grape Varieties and Wine Styles

The Piedmont wine region produces several unique red and white grape varieties. They include: 

• Nebbiolo
• Barbera
• Dolcetto
• Brachetto
• Moscato
• Cortese
• Erbaluce
• Arneis
• Other Grape Varieties

1. Nebbiolo

The Nebbiolo grape is a high-tannin variety native to the Piedmont region. Often called Italy’s Pinot Noir, the grape is sensitive to terroir and tricky to grow. 

Youthful Nebbiolo wine is astringent and acidic but develops complex flavors, a full-body, and refined tannins with barrel aging. The Barbaresco and Barolo DOCG regions are Piedmont’s leading Nebbiolo grape cultivators.

2. Barbera

Barbera is a Piedmont red grape variety that produces the deep, powerful Barbera wine. The variety flourishes in warm terroirs with calcareous soil and yields large berries.  

The Barbera grape variety is usually harvested in late September to reduce the increased acidity of the berries.

Barbera dAsti and Barbera d’Alba DOCGs are the leading Barbera growers in Piedmont.

3. Dolcetto

Dolcetto is Piedmont’s third primary red grape grown in the region’s cool, high-altitude wine sites. The grape has low acidity and produces light-bodied, tannic, and fruit-dominant wines. The wine’s high tannins are balanced by shorter maceration periods. The Dogliani, Alba, and Diano d’Alba vineyard villages are the leading producers of Dolcetto wine.

4. Brachetto 

Brachetto is a red grape indigenous to the Piedmont wine region grown in Asti and Alessandria. It produces fruit-driven, aromatic, and light-bodied wines in still and sparkling styles. 

5. Moscato

Moscato is Piedmont’s signature white grape used to make the unique Moscato dAsti and Asti Spumantesparkling wine labels. 

The grape produces refreshing fruity wines with low alcohol content (7 to 8%.)

The villages around the Asti region are the predominant Moscato vineyard sites. 

6. Cortese

Cortese is a grape variety similar to Albarino producing the renowned Gavi wine style. Gavi wines’ vibrant acidity and delicate citrus flavors are best enjoyed in their youth.

Cortese di Gavi, Colli Tortonesi, and Cortese dell’Alto Monferrato are the major communes in the Piedmont region cultivating Cortese grapes.

7. Erbaluce

Erbaluce is grown in Caluso in the Piedmont wine region and has a long history dating back to 1606. It usually produces dry wines and a unique sweet wine style called ‘passito.’

The grape has high acidity and shares a genetic relationship with the Cascarolo Bianco variety.

8. Arneis

Arneis is a white grape indigenous to the Piedmont wine region and cultivated in the Roero, Alba, and Langhe communes. It was traditionally blended with Nebbiolo but is now used in aromatic, single-varietal wine production. 

9. Other Grape Varieties

In red wine production, Piedmont winemakers also use:

• Freisa
• Bonarda
• Quagliano
• Grignolino
• Pinot Noir
• Cabernet Sauvignon
• Ruche

Other prominent white wine varieties grown in Piedmont are:

• Favorita
• Nascetta
• Timorasso
• Malvasia Bianca 

10 Exquisite Piedmont Wines to Buy in 2022

Here are 10 of the best Piedmont wines with their tasing notes and prices:

• 2010 Giacomo Conterno Monfortino ($1,990)
• 2016 Cappellano Otin Fiorin Pie Franco - Michet ($1,646)
• 2015 G. B. Burlotto Barolo Monvigliero ($789)
• 2004 Bruno Giacosa Albesani Santo Stefano ($403)
• 2011 Ca' d'Gal Vite Vecchia ($91)
• 2018 Luigi Spertino 'La Mandorla' ($86)
• 1989 Marchesi di Barolo Dolcetto d'Alba ($76)
• 2005 Hastae Quorum ($52)
• 2016 Bruno Giacosa Roero Arneis DOCG ($37)
• 2018 Villa Sparina Gavi del Comune di Gavi DOCG ($27)

1. 2010 Giacomo Conterno Monfortino ($1,990)

This is a luscious red wine with plum and black cherry notes accentuated by an addictive oak and vanilla aroma. The Giacomo Conterno label shows smooth tannins, a long finish, and a mineral aftertaste. 

Wine Spectator awarded the highly sought-after label an enviable score of 97.

2. 2016 Cappellano Otin Fiorin Pie Franco - Michet ($1,646)

Here’s a medium-bodied fine wine from the Cappellano brand that opens with intense floral and licorice aromas, offset by delicious red fruit flavors. 

3. 2015 G. B. Burlotto Barolo Monvigliero ($789)

Rose, pine, and smoky flint aromas balanced by dark fruit, Marasca cherry, and compote notes define this luscious red wine. The Nebbiolo wine from the G.B. Burlotto winery presents refreshing acidity and fine tannins with mineral undertones. 

4. 2004 Bruno Giacosa Albesani Santo Stefano ($403)

This dry red wine boasts intense rosemary, thyme scents, beautiful strawberry, blackberry, and raspberry notes. Besides velvety tannins, the Piedmontese wine from Bruno Giacosa also displays balanced acidity and a lingering finish.

5. 2011 Ca' d'Gal Vite Vecchia ($91)

Here’s a compelling, earthy Piedmont wine with a stone fruit, dried flower, and honeycomb aroma in a sweet peach and toast palate.

6. 2018 Luigi Spertino 'La Mandorla' ($86)

This gorgeous red wine from the Luigi Spertino winery offers rich oak fragrances complemented by a stunning black cherry and pepper flavor profile. It also has a smooth texture, balanced acidity, and a lingering finish.

7. 1989 Marchesi di Barolo Dolcetto d'Alba ($76)

This vintage Barolo wine has a remarkable cooking spice and violet nose offset by black fruit, clove, and almond notes. The fine texture of the Dolcetto wine elevates its juicy palate. 

8. 2005 Hastae Quorum ($52)

Here’s a distinctive, dry Italian wine that displays earthy and spicy aromas in a lovely palate of dark cherry, coffee, and cinnamon.  

9. 2016 Bruno Giacosa Roero Arneis DOCG ($37)

The refreshing Piedmontese wine from the Roero DOCG boasts a pineapple, lemon, and floral bouquet with bright acidity. The white wine presents vibrant apricot and peach flavors with hints of minerality and a lingering finish.  

10. 2018 Villa Sparina Gavi del Comune di Gavi DOCG ($27)

Here’s a top-notch Gavi DOCG wine from the Piedmont wine region loaded with citrus, thyme, and daffodil scents in a delicious peach and spice palate.

If you're in the UK you can get a case of fine Piedmont wine at VinoSelect.

Best Food Pairings with Piedmont Wine

The best foods to pair with different Piedmont wines are:

• Barbera: Grilled meats, pasta dishes, hard cheeses, game, beef, and lamb are great companions to Barbera wine.
• Dolcetto: Complement a glass of Dolcetto with pizza, spiced chili, cured meats, barbecued pork rib.
• Nebbiolo: Gamy meats, venison, Beef Wellington, and prime rib work well with a bold Nebbiolo like a Barolo DOCG wine.
• Moscato: The sparkling Asti Spumante and Moscato dasti wine pair exceptionally well with fruit-based desserts like peach cobbler, apple pie, and berries.
• Arneis: The white Arneis wine is an excellent complement to roast chicken, turkey, fish, ham, and cheese sauces.

Investing in Piedmont Wine

The Piedmont wine country produces both age-worthy labels and refreshing, youthful wines. The region’s prestigious Barolo and Barbaresco wine bottles can be cellared for over two decades.

Piedmont wines have also shown remarkable appreciation in value over the years and are highly prized by the wine enthusiast community. For instance, between 2020 and 2021:

• The price of the 2015 Cappellano Otin Fiorin Pie Franco - Michet increased by over 110%, from $348 to $732.
• The 2016 G. B. Burlotto Barolo Monvigliero wine appreciated by over 371% in value from $202 to $952.

Piedmont wines are also exceptional performers at several auction events.

• A bottle of the 1990 Giacomo Conterno Barolo Riserva Monfortino was sold for $1,792 at the 2019 Barolo Wine Auction.
• An assorted case of 6 Barolo and 2 Dolcetto d’Alba Piedmont wine bottles was sold for $1,250 at a Sotheby’s auction in 2020. 

If you’re a wine lover looking to build a portfolio of these investment-grade Piedmont wines, the best place to start is Vinovest. The AI-based platform makes it super easy to buy, store, and sell fine wine labels from around the world.

Enjoy a Lush, Collectible Italian Piedmont Wine 

The delicious range of Piedmont wines are dynamic expressions of the region’s terroir and can entice any palate! To treat your guests to a complete Italian wine tasting experience, add a bottle or two of Piedmont wine to your collection now.

Visit the Vinovest website to get your hands on these magnificent labels, and start building your profitable wine collection today.