Wine region - Piemonte

Wine Region – Piemonte

Piemonte is a very popular and is one of the more well-known wine regions of the world. It has very strong similarities to Burgundy, so much so that it is often referred to as the ‘Burgundy of Italy.’ Located in Italy, there are many things about this region to fall in love with, such as the food, scenery, and overall location and weather of the region. It is located in the northwest corner of Italy, Switzerland sits on top with France to the west and a Mediterranean coast ling to the west and south. The most famous vineyards of this region are the Barolo and Barbaresco vineyards. Piemonte is home to numerous vineyards and many of them are family friendly. Its most well-known subregions are the Lnghe, Roero, and Monferrato regions, the lands of castles, vineyards, and hills covered in mist.

The grape varieties of this region are what makes it to keenly special and unique. The main grapes of the piemonte wine region are the reds Nebbiolo, Barbera, and Dolcetto and also the whites Moscato, Cortese, Arneis, and Favorita. The wines created here are produced so specially and their flavors are unique to this location. The region produces an abundance of seductive red wines that become intensely tannic and long lived. The late-rippening Nebbiolo vine is perfectly suited for growth in the Piemonte region and thrives at this locale. In addition, Barbera and Dolcetto are also grown here as well as the specialties of the region such as the jammy strawberry flavored Brachetto and the sparkling Grignolino.  The wines from the Piemonte region are all usually characterized by their beautiful and full bouquets.

Piemonte is also home to a slew of local white grapes. The most prolific white grape of Piemonte is Muscat and that is responsible for the oceans of Asti and other light Moscatos. It was normal in years past to be snooty about the flavor of the super sweet Moscato wines, but in recent times that reaction has dulled down. These white wines have an extreme strength in being light and are usually less than six percent alcohol, they are fizzy and refreshing and fruitily sweet. They are good pairs with a heavy meal.

In recent years, winemakers have begun to experiment with a numerous amount of blends with Piemonte grapes such as Nebbiolo with Barbera, Merlot, Cabernet, or Syrah. Dolcetto is the regions most grower-friendly wine because it is capable of ripening on less favored sites and even on north-facing sites.  Dolcetto means ‘little sweet one’. Piemonte’s greatest wine is Barolo and it is also known as Italy’s “wine of kings and king of wines.” It is very versatile and the varous flavors come from just the turn of a hillside and a different mixture of sandstone or marl.

Wines were traditionally matured in large old Slovenian oak casks, but eventually in the 1970s and 1980s there was a stir that caused the used of French barriques. These French barriques created some revision to the wine styles and caused them to be more open and mature earlier. Today, wine producers have begun to use a mixture f barriques and larger-sized oak containers for wine production. The winemakers have learned the fines of fermentation, the temperature of fermentation, and growth specifics.

Global warming has affected this part of the world more than others. However, it has caused a serious of great vintages rather than disastrous ones. The colors of the wines have even evolved and have become a deeper shade. The local conditions of the region have changed, but the vines have adapted to the ever-changing climate and have still been successful in their endeavor.