Piedmont Wine

Piedmont’s vineyards are nestled between the Alps and the Apennines, creating one of Italy’s most diverse and prestigious wine landscapes. Around 90% of the region’s winemaking takes place in the southern hills near Alba, Asti, and Alessandria, where altitude, fog, and limestone soils create ideal conditions for Nebbiolo and other native grapes.

The Piedmont wine region is traditionally divided into five major sub-regions, each with its own identity, grape varieties, and flagship appellations.

Located around Turin and stretching toward the Aosta Valley, Canavese is characterized by Alpine foothills, glacial soils, and a cool climate that produces structured, age-worthy wines.

Carema DOC – Elegant, lighter-bodied Nebbiolo (locally called Picotener), known for minerality and precision.

Erbaluce di Caluso DOCG – Fresh, high-acid whites made from the Erbaluce grape, also produced in sparkling and passito (sweet) forms.

Canavese DOC – Covers reds, whites, and rosés from Nebbiolo, Barbera, and Erbaluce.

Style: Lively whites and elegant, aromatic reds with Alpine freshness.

Centered around Novara, this area’s gravelly, moraine soils and cool climate produce refined Nebbiolo-based reds with great longevity.

Ghemme DOCG – Structured Nebbiolo with spice and earthy complexity; aged for at least 34 months.

Colline Novaresi DOC – A broad appellation for reds and whites, including Nebbiolo (Spanna), Vespolina, and Croatina.

Style: Elegant Nebbiolo wines with firm tannins and mineral character; fresh, aromatic reds from local varieties.

Located around Vercelli, this zone bridges Novara and Biella, featuring rolling hills and alluvial soils.

Gattinara DOCG – One of Piedmont’s most historic Nebbiolo wines, powerful yet balanced, with tar, rose, and spice notes.

Lessona DOC – Fine, floral Nebbiolo with pronounced minerality.

Coste della Sesia DOC – A flexible appellation allowing blends of Nebbiolo, Croatina, and Vespolina.

Style: Refined, aromatic Nebbiolo with earthy tones and a lighter body than southern Piedmont counterparts.

The Langhe hills—centered around Alba—form the heart of Piedmont’s wine identity. With rolling vineyards, calcareous marl soils, and morning mists, this area produces Italy’s most celebrated reds.

Barolo DOCG – Known as the “King of Wines,” 100% Nebbiolo, powerful and long-lived, with aromas of tar, roses, and truffle.

Barbaresco DOCG – A more accessible yet equally elegant Nebbiolo wine, noted for finesse and perfume.

Dolcetto d’Alba DOC – Fruity, soft reds for everyday enjoyment.

Barbera d’Alba DOC – Bright, juicy reds with acidity and red berry fruit.

Roero DOCG – Nebbiolo reds and Arneis whites, often with freshness and lift.

Style: Structured, complex reds and crisp whites defined by limestone soils and long aging potential.

Encompassing Asti and Alessandria, Monferrato is known for rolling hills, sandstone soils, and a broad variety of grapes. It produces both serious reds and sparkling whites.

Barbera d’Asti DOCG – Vibrant, fruit-driven reds with lively acidity and food-friendly balance.

Nizza DOCG – A sub-zone of Barbera d’Asti, producing powerful, oak-aged reds.

Asti DOCG / Moscato d’Asti DOCG – Sweet and sparkling wines from Moscato Bianco; Asti Spumante (fully sparkling) and Moscato d’Asti (lightly sparkling).

Dolcetto di Dogliani DOCG – Fruity reds with plum and almond notes, meant for early drinking.

Gavi DOCG (Cortese di Gavi) – Crisp, mineral white wines from Cortese grapes near the Ligurian border.

Brachetto d’Acqui DOCG – Sweet, sparkling red wines with strawberry and rose aromas.

Style: Fruity, approachable reds and aromatic whites; the center of Piedmont’s sparkling wine production.

Piedmont is dominated by native grape varieties, with Nebbiolo leading the way in its most prestigious wines. Alongside it, Barbera and Dolcetto provide more approachable reds, while local whites add freshness and diversity.

Black (Red) Grapes

The most widely planted red grape in Piedmont. Known for bright acidity, soft tannins, and flavors of cherry and plum. Found in Barbera d’Alba and Barbera d’Asti.

A softer, fruit-forward grape producing reds with lower acidity and gentle tannins. Best examples come from Dogliani DOCG and Dolcetto d’Alba DOC.

Used for sweet, sparkling reds in Brachetto d’Acqui DOCG, with floral and strawberry notes.

A traditional Piedmont grape, producing aromatic reds that range from dry and tannic to lightly sparkling and off-dry.

White Grapes

Native to the Roero area, producing medium-bodied whites with pear, apricot, and almond notes.

Used in Asti DOCG and Moscato d’Asti DOCG, producing aromatic, sweet, sparkling wines with floral and peachy character.

Grown in northern Piedmont and used in Erbaluce di Caluso DOCG. Produces dry, sparkling, and sweet passito wines with acidity and citrus notes.

Piedmont is a region of great diversity, producing everything from powerful reds to crisp whites and sweet sparkling wines. Its wines are closely tied to native grapes and specific appellations.

Red Wines

Nebbiolo-based, powerful, tannic, and long-lived, with aromas of roses, tar, and dried fruit. Often requires years of aging to reach its full potential.

Also Nebbiolo-based, but generally more approachable in youth than Barolo, with elegance, floral notes, and fine tannins.

Fresh, juicy reds with high acidity and flavors of cherry and plum. Versatile and food-friendly.

Soft, fruity reds meant for early drinking, with blackberry, plum, and almond notes.

Northern Piedmont Nebbiolo wines, lighter and fresher than Barolo and Barbaresco, but still structured and age-worthy.

White Wines

Crisp, mineral-driven whites with citrus and floral notes, considered Piedmont’s benchmark white wine.

Whites from Arneis, medium-bodied with stone fruit, almond, and floral aromas.

Dry whites with acidity and citrus notes, also made into sparkling and sweet passito versions.

Sparkling & Sweet Wines

Fully sparkling Moscato Bianco, sweet and aromatic, with flavors of peach, orange blossom, and honey.

A lightly sparkling, lower-alcohol version, fresh and fruity, often enjoyed as a dessert wine.

Sweet, sparkling red with floral and strawberry notes, often paired with chocolate or fruit desserts.

Piedmont has one of the highest concentrations of DOCG wines in Italy, reflecting its deep winemaking tradition and strict quality standards. The region’s wines are organized under Italy’s national classification system: DOCG (Denominazione di Origine Controllata e Garantita), DOC (Denominazione di Origine Controllata), and IGT (Indicazione Geografica Tipica).

The DOCG designation represents Piedmont’s most prestigious and tightly regulated wines — those that have passed rigorous testing for origin, production, and quality. With over 17 DOCGs, Piedmont ranks among Italy’s top regions for high-status appellations.

Key DOCGs include:

• Barolo DOCG – The “King of Wines,” made from 100% Nebbiolo in the Langhe; powerful, structured, and long-lived.
• Barbaresco DOCG – Nebbiolo from vineyards north of Barolo; elegant, aromatic, and refined.
• Roero DOCG – Nebbiolo reds and Arneis whites; fresh and expressive.
• Gattinara DOCG & Ghemme DOCG – Northern Piedmont Nebbiolo wines, lighter yet age-worthy, marked by minerality.
• Barbera d’Asti DOCG & Nizza DOCG – Structured, fruit-driven Barbera wines from Monferrato.
• Dogliani DOCG – Rich, fruity Dolcetto-based reds from the Langhe.
• Gavi DOCG (Cortese di Gavi) – Piedmont’s signature white wine, crisp and mineral.
• Asti DOCG & Moscato d’Asti DOCG – Sweet and sparkling wines made from Moscato Bianco, with floral and honeyed aromas.
• Brachetto d’Acqui DOCG – Sweet, sparkling red wines with notes of rose and strawberry.
• Erbaluce di Caluso DOCG – Whites from northern Piedmont; made in dry, sparkling, and passito (sweet) forms.

These DOCGs showcase the diversity of Piedmont’s terroir — from the fog-covered hills of Barolo to the alpine vineyards of Canavese and the sparkling cellars of Asti.

Piedmont’s DOC appellations form the foundation of its regional production, covering a wide range of high-quality wines that express local character and style. DOC rules control yields, grape varieties, and winemaking methods, but with slightly more flexibility than DOCG.

Key DOCs include:

• Langhe DOC – A broad designation that allows producers to experiment with blends or single-vineyard bottlings, often used by Barolo and Barbaresco estates.
• Dolcetto d’Alba DOC – Fruity reds for early drinking.
• Barbera d’Alba DOC – Juicy, balanced reds with bright acidity.
• Monferrato DOC – Wide-ranging appellation producing both red and white blends.
• Carema DOC – Elegant, Alpine Nebbiolo from the Aosta border.
• Calosso DOC and Albugnano DOC – Small designations emphasizing local red varieties.
• Nebbiolo d’Alba DOC – Nebbiolo wines from outside Barolo and Barbaresco zones; approachable and floral.

DOC wines make up much of Piedmont’s day-to-day production and often deliver outstanding value, reflecting the same craftsmanship as DOCG wines.

Piedmont has relatively few IGT wines compared to other Italian regions, due to its strong tradition of appellation-based labeling. However, IGT wines (labeled as Piemonte IGT) allow winemakers creative freedom to blend international varieties or experiment outside DOC regulations.

• Common IGT grapes: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Chardonnay, and Sauvignon Blanc — often blended with native grapes such as Nebbiolo or Barbera.
• Style: Modern, fruit-forward wines with flexibility in style and technique, often used by boutique or experimental producers.