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Piemonte

Principal Varietals: (R) Barbera, (W) Cortese, (R) Dolcetto, (S) Moscato, (R) Nebbiolo, (W) Arneis

Home to Barbaresco and Barolo, the king of wines and the wine of kings, this region bordering France in the northwest of Italy is a mecca for wine and food lovers. With more DOC zones than any other region, wine is central to the economy of Piemonte. Small parcels of densely planted vines cover the Langhe and Monferrato hills throughout central and southern Piemonte. From intricately complex and rich Barolo to fruit forward and powerful Barbera d’Asti, it is hard to find culture more inextricably tied to wine.

Barolo, and to a lesser extent Barbaresco, are considered to be among the most important wines of Italy, if not the world. Produced from Nebbiolo, these wines exhibit the complexity and richness that justify their designation of “noble wines.” Nebbiolo is also expressed well in other Piemontese wines, like red Roero, Gattinara, and Langhe Nebbiolo. Barbera is also an important grape of Piemonte, with the most favored wines coming from producers within the Asti and Alba DOC zones, and the broader historical zone of Monferrato. Dolcetto runs up close to Barbera in importance, and can be found around Alba, Dogliani, and Ovada. The most important white grape is by far Cortese, which creates the famous Gavi di Gavi. Cortese can also be found near the commune of Tassarolo, northwest of Gavi. Arneis plays an important role in whites as well, if less well known in the United States.

As with all regions in Italy, the wines of Piemonte are meant to be paired with local cuisine. It could be argued that the food of Piemonte is the finest in all of Italy. Rich and delicious, the cuisine of Piemonte will definitely challenge your belt. Our favorite dish in Piemonte is based on the divine pasta Tajarin. At a small restaurant in Vinchio, close to Asti, you can experience the unimaginable. The Tajarin at Non Solo Crudo is made with 40 egg yolks, and is pure perfection. Paired with a duck ragu, there is nothing quite as wonderful, and the staff can offer a range of delicious Barberas to complement the dish. Piemonte is also home to prized truffles, which can be found at their peak in the fall. Piemonte is an unforgettable experience.

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