Piemonte: Vines at the foot of the mountain

Did you know that Italy is one of the richest countries in the world in biodiversity?

Our peninsula has the highest number and density of both animal and plant species in the European Union. Among the plants, vines play a very important role: Italy, constantly battling with France for supremacy – is the world largest wine producer (1.18 billion gallons, harvest 2013) with hundreds of different local vine varieties.

The distinct and unique characteristics of Italian wines are thanks to the variety of different grapes, each variety connected not only with the particular regions, areas of production and terroirs, but also with the amazing and rich history of Italy.

In these posts, I’m thrilled to have the opportunity to introduce some of the most important local grapes from different regions that have led to the success of many renowned wines.

One interesting fact is that, in Italy,

On an Italian wine label, you will find the name of the wine, for example, Barolo or Chianti, but you won’t always find the vine variety from which the wine was made from. Keep this in mind and show off your knowledge of Italian wine on your next holiday in il Bel Paese!

Now, let’s (virtually) head to Piemonte.

Piemonte: at the foot of the mountain

The name of the region Piemonte, at the western border with our famous “wine cousin”, France, literally translates to “located at the foot of Alpi mountains”. The region’s vicinity with France significantly influenced Piemonte’s wine production and culinary traditions.

Piemonte region of Italy (Credit: Google Maps)

The former aristocracy which ruled this region, the Savoia family, went on to rule the Kingdom of Italy from 1861 until Italy became a Republic in 1946 with the end of World War II.

Today Piemonte is an advanced and renowned region not only in wine making, but also in food culture, home to the headquarters of Slow Food and the University of Gastronomic Sciences in Pollenzo, Cuneo.

Just to give you an idea of this region’s importance, Piemonte has 16 DOCG and 42 DOC (last update March 2012).

University of Gastronomic Sciences in Pollenzo, Cuneo

Main vine varieties and wines

Red grapes

Nebbiolo is the best known local grape and one of the most interesting variety in Italy.

The name probably came from nebbia, fog, whose presence during the harvest in the region where the vineyards are located, is very common, or to the fog-like milky veil that forms over the berries in their maturity.

It is the grape that makes Barolo, one of the best known Italian wines and Barbaresco, both by Nebbiolo single-variety. It is a grape very rich in tannins that is perfect for a very long aging period.

Barbera is the other important local grape used to make wines like Barbera d’Asti, Barbera d’Alba and Barbera del Monferrato, depending on the areas of production. It is characterized by a high level of acidity and low tannin levels.

Dolcetto: Although in Italian dolce means sweet, the origin of the name doesn’t seem to be connected to the sugar levels of this grape, but probably to the hills where the vine was originally cultivated. Used to make the famous Dolcetto d’Alba (together with Dolcetto d’Asti, D’Acqui, Di Ovada) a dry wine, it is moderate in tannins and acidity and in general drunk one to two years after its release.

Brachetto grape, highly aromatic with notes of strawberry it is used mainly to make sparkling wines like Brachetto D’Acqui, a kind of rosé Spumante by Charmat-Martinotti method.

Credit: Vinostore.it

White grapes

Cortese, has recently gained more and more success abroad thanks to Gavi wine (100% Cortese grape), moderate in acidity and light. This wine has been the favorite of restaurants in the southern neighbouring port of Genova thanks to its perfect pairing with local seafood from the Ligurian coast.

Erbaluce, used for Erbaluce di Caluso wine, is an ancient white grape in Piemonte. Its high levels in acidity make it ideally suitable both for dry and sweet passito wines.

Moscato is one of the most aromatic grapes in Italy. Cultivated in Piedmont in the southeastern areas, it is used to make Moscato d’Asti and Asti Spumante, a sparkling wine also made by Charmat-Martinotti method. In Italy, Asti Spumante is typical of Christmas celebrations, always paired with the famous Panettone, traditional cake.

What are your favorite wines from Piemonte? Share with us in the comments below. And if you have any questions, don’t be shy and ask away! 

Author’s bio: This article was written by Alessandra from DiscoveringUmbria. You can also connect with her on Twitter at @discoverumbria