PIEDMONT REGION

Northern Italy’s vineyard regions are located in the foothills of the Alps. Many of the finest vineyard areas benefit from the protection of the mountains to the north and the broad variety of slopes and soils that they provide; the climate here is generally moderate. Nebbiolo is the only variety permitted in the wines of Barolo DOCG, perhaps the most famous wine of the Piemonte region. Barbera is a widely grown variety here, being Barbera d’Asti DOCG considered to produce Barbera’s highest quality wines; due to its lower tannin levels, Barbera is generally enjoyable to drink at a younger stage than Nebbiolo, and typically has less aging potential. Gavi DOCG wines use the Cortese variety, typically fermented in inert vessels and not matured in oak, ready to drink on release and is not intended to age.