Piedmont wine guide

This isn’t a complete guide, but rather an inviting aperitivo – a starting point for your journey into the world of Piedmontese wine.

The Most Common Wine Grapes Grown in Piedmont

A journey through grapes, vineyards, and landscapes that awaken the senses

The Grapes, the Wines, the People, and the Landscape

Piedmont is made for bon vivants – a mecca for food and wine lovers who long for deep flavors, authentic villages, and sweeping views over rolling vineyards. The region lies in northwestern Italy, at the foot of the Alps and the Apennines – hence the name Piedmont, meaning “at the foot of the mountain.”

The landscape here is dramatic and beautiful, with high mountains forming a backdrop for green hills and terraced vineyards. The river Po flows like a lifeline through the region, dividing it in two. This is a place where wine and people have lived side by side for centuries. The passion for craftsmanship and soil is alive and well – and every vineyard, every village, and every producer has a story to tell.

It’s not uncommon to find small, family-run wineries that have been making wine for generations. Among wine connoisseurs, Piedmont is often considered Italy’s top wine region – and not without reason. Barolo and Barbaresco, two of the world’s most renowned wines, originate here.

But the region is far more than just prestige. It offers everything from rustic everyday wines to elegant masterpieces – always with a clear imprint of its terroir. And while the rivalry with Tuscany, Sicily, and Veneto is very real, there’s something uniquely refined about Piedmont’s quiet sophistication.

Perhaps it’s the autumn fog that creeps over the hills – casting a veil of mystery over the vineyards – that gives the region its singular charm.

Extensive Wine Production of High Quality

Over 53,500 hectares in Piedmont are planted with vines. Around 65% of the production is red wine, the rest white. The region is known for its high quality, and no fewer than 62 areas have received the prestigious DOC and DOCG classifications – the strictest in Italian wine law.

This means that what’s bottled here usually carries a proud sense of origin, tradition, and a careful relationship with the soil and grape. The history of wine in Piedmont is long – with evidence that the Romans were already cultivating grapes here. One of the oldest grapes still grown is Moscato, likely planted by the Romans themselves.

To understand Piedmont, you must understand its grapes. In this region, they play the leading role – not just in the glass, but in people’s lives. The four major grapes that define production are Nebbiolo, Barbera, Dolcetto, and Moscato. But in the background, there are many other hidden gems.

The four main grape varieties

Barbera

This is a likable giant. A popular grape, loved for its fruitiness and fresh acidity. On the nose, it offers cherry, almond, and ripe raspberry. It has low tannins, which makes it easy to enjoy and easy to pair with food.

Barbera is Italy’s third most planted grape, and in Piedmont alone it accounts for half of all wine production.

Still, for many years it was considered Nebbiolo’s little brother – struggling to be taken seriously.

But times change. Today, Barbera wines are made with great complexity and aging potential, especially in towns like Asti and Alba.

Traditionally made Barbera can age well, while modern, fruit-forward styles are best enjoyed young and lively.

Nebbiolo

The king of Piedmont. A demanding, stubborn, and majestic grape shaped by centuries of soil and climate.

The name likely comes from nebbia – fog – either because it ripens late in autumn when fog blankets the hills, or because its skin takes on a hazy bloom when mature.

Nebbiolo gives wines of deep complexity: aromas of roses, cherries, tobacco, truffle, leather, and forest floor. It has high acidity and strong tannins – and the wines often need time. Sometimes decades.

Barolo and Barbaresco are the most famous expressions of Nebbiolo, but its magic is also found in Roero, Gattinara, and Ghemme. These are wines that reward patience and can turn a meal into an unforgettable experience.

Dolcetto

The name means “the little sweet one,” but don’t be fooled. Dolcetto brings structure, depth, and concentration, even if the wines are generally softer and more approachable than Nebbiolo.

The wine has a deep purple color and flavors of black cherries, blackcurrant, and licorice, often with a bitter almond bite on the finish. The tannins are noticeable but not overwhelming.

Dolcetto wines are typically meant to be enjoyed young and make a perfect match for pasta dishes, pizza, and the rustic cuisine of Piedmont. Mostly produced in the Langhe, they offer an immediate and delicious experience.

Moscato

A grape that stirs strong feelings. Some love it, others... not so much. But when made well, Moscato is pure pleasure.

The aroma is like a field of flowers: elderflower, citrus, and white peach. It yields low-alcohol, lightly sparkling wines like Moscato d’Asti and Asti Spumante, with sweetness, freshness, and a gentle sparkle.

Only 14% of the grapes go into Moscato d’Asti, while the rest are used for Asti Spumante. Both are perfect with berry desserts or as a light finish to a meal.

Moscato has long been misunderstood due to mass production by large producers. But there are also winemakers who craft Moscato with finesse and respect for the grape’s potential.

Other grapes grown in Piedmont

Freisa

A grape with ancient roots and a reputation for being a bit wild and untamed. Freisa produces wines with high acidity and strong tannins – not unlike Nebbiolo. However, it has a deeper purple color and a more pronounced fruitiness.

The wines can be still or lightly sparkling, sweet or dry, but they always have character. Freisa is a grape with soul, and when allowed to shine, the results are often unpredictable – but exciting.

Brachetto

If there’s a grape that can make you smile, it’s Brachetto. It produces sweet, lightly sparkling wines with low alcohol and aromas of roses, raspberries, and strawberries. Think summer, picnics, laughter, and berry desserts.

The most well-known wine is Brachetto d’Acqui, which has helped many rediscover the joy of light, fruity dessert wines. There are also dry and more complex versions – and some exceptionally rare passito styles that are nearly impossible to find.

Grignolino

A local hero. Grignolino is nearly unknown outside Piedmont but beloved by those who know it. The name comes from the many seeds in the grape, which give the wine a lot of tannin.

The wines are light in color and body, but with a firm grip in the mouth and aromas of herbs and red berries. A wine for geeks and curious souls who like to think and taste at the same time.

Wrap up

Piedmont’s wines are like the region itself: passionate, complex, and full of contrasts. Here you’ll find everything from the grand and age-worthy to the simple and immediately charming.

Whether you're heading to Piedmont, or just want to understand a bit more about what’s in your glass next time you're browsing the wine shelf, we hope this guide has given you a taste of something new. Maybe even a desire to keep tasting.

Cin cin!