FAST FACTS TOTAL AREA: GRAPE VARIETIES: Barbera, Dolcetto, Freisa, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Nebbiolo, Arneis, Chardonnay, Cortese, Moscato, Sauvingnon, Timorasso TOTAL WINE PRODUCTION: 2,043 hl APPELLATIONS: Alta Langa DOCG, Asti DOCG, Barbaresco DOCG, Barbera d’Alba DOC, Barbera d’Asti DOCG, Barolo DOCG, Dolcetto d’Alba DOC, Gavi DOCG, Langhe DOC, Nebbiolo d’Alba DOC, Roero DOCG PRODUCERS ENRICO SERAFINO, MARCHESI DI GRESY, VIETTI, ELENA SPIRITS, PERLA TERRA

OVERVIEW

Piedmont is the home of Barolo and Barbaresco. . . . If you’re a lover of Italian wine, you’re probably on the edge of your seat already. Barolo and its less flashy sibling Barbaresco are two of Italy’s greatest wines, reasons enough to get to know Piedmont. But there are many other terrific wines made in the hills surrounding those two marquee wine towns, too, and Piedmont is unquestionably in the top two or three most important wine regions in the country.

Piedmont is best known for its red grape varieties. The most prestigious of these is Nebbiolo, a variety that makes outstanding wines in Piedmont but has had very limited success anywhere else. The very best vineyard sites are typically planted with Nebbiolo. Despite Nebbiolo’s repute, however, there is much more Barbera planted—an easier-to-grow grape variety which makes wines that are generally ready to drink sooner and less expensive. Dolcetto is another red variety in Piedmont’s portfolio; it makes lighter, more easygoing wines that are very versatile.