Located in northwest Italy, Piemonte is the home of more DOCG wines than any other Italian region, among them such well known and respected names as Barolo, Barbaresco, and Barbera d’Asti. Among those 17 DOCGs, the region also boasts 42 DOCs, a testimony to the region’s rich wine heritage and the high quality wines produced in the region.

Piemonte sits, as its name suggests, at the foot of the Western Alps on its northern and western sides and borders the Apennine mountains to the southeast. These low coastal hills divide Piemonte from its long, thin neighbour Liguria, and the Mediterranean sea. This geography is what is largely responsible for the region’s favourable environment for wine making. The climate of Piemonte is known for its cold, snowy winters and hot, dry summers, this difference in temperature, accompanied by the noted presence of fog in the region are all contributing factors to what makes this region’s wines so renowned and celebrated.

In this region, do not expect mass production of wine, instead, Piemonte’s wine culture is characterized by its many small-scale, family wineries and a focus on high quality wines with a distinct character. Some of their outstanding wines to discover include Barolo, Barbaresco, Barbera d’Asti in the reds; Roero and Gavi in ​​the whites, in addition to sparkling wines such as Moscato d’Asti and a sweet relatively unknown red, Brachetto d’Acqui, among many others.

Here are a few of Piemonte’s wine appellations to discover:

Barolo DOCG

Cultivated in Cuneo, in the Langhe, Barolo wines produced with 100% Nebbiolo grapes, have aromas of roses and fruit jam, vanilla and toasted bread. As it ages, its color becomes progressively more rusty-red. This wine is used in brasato al Barolo (braised beef), a typical Piedmontese dish and can be enjoyed with lamb and strong cheeses such as Bra duro and Castelmagno.

Barbaresco DOCG

This appellation is in the commune of Barbaresco, east of Alba, Piedmont. Its proximity to the Tanaro river allow the red Nebbiolo grapes to ripen more quickly, and therefore less aging is required. With bouquets of violets and roses and cherry, licorice and fennel notes, it develops a smokier flavor and becomes lighter in color as it ages.These wines pair well with braised beef or carne cruda – raw beef or veal prepared the Piedmontese way (also known as steak tartare).

Barbera d’Alba DOC

Barbera d’Alba DOC is a wine appellation in the town of Alba and the surrounding Langhe hills in Piemonte. This wine, made mostly with Barbera grapes has cherry, raspberry and blueberry aromas and pairs well with antipasto, pasta and risotto.

Barbera d’Asti DOCG

Barbera d’Asti is a red wine made from Barbera grown in this grape variety’s native zone, the Monferrato hills of central Piemonte. The wine became a DOC in 1970, and was promoted to DOCG in 2008. Barbera d’Asti is made from 90-100% Barbera grapes. Typical flavours are red fruits from the darker end of the spectrum. Around 5-8 years Barbera’s fruit dims, becoming more savoury, slightly feral and forest-floor like.

Dolcetto d’Alba DOC

Made with black Dolcetto grapes that are harvested in mid-September, the wines found in the Dolcetto d’Alba DOC are mainly dry and fruity with notes of black cherry and licorice. Cultivated mainly in Alba and Ovada, these dark-colored wines with a slight almond aftertaste pair well with pasta and pizza and especially with typical Piemontese dishes.

Brachetto d’Acqui DOCG

Brachetto d’Acqui DOCG is produced in the Piedmont wine region around Acqui Terme in the province of Alessandria, Piemonte. According to legends, Julius Caesar and Marc Antony presented Cleopatra several gourds of this wine, known in those times as Vinum Acquense, as a gift. This cherry-red wine with a fresh and sweet aroma, is produced from 100% Brachetto grapes and pairs well with fresh fruits, pastries and elaborate desserts.

Asti or Moscato d’Asti DOCG

Cultivated in the province of Asti in Montferrat, Moscato d’Asti DOCG is a semi-sparkling white wine made with 100% Moscato grapes. With sweet floral and peach aromas and notes of pear and apple, it pairs especially well with desserts but can also be enjoyed with lobster or served as an aperitif.

Roero DOCG

Roero is a DOCG wine zone in north-western Italy in Cuneo, in Piemonte. The white wines, known as Roero Arneis, produced in this area are mainly made from white Arneis grapes and the bold, fragrant reds known as Roero Rosso are made from Nebbiolo. Cultivated on the north-facing slopes, Roero Arneis is a classic dry white wine with floral aromas and notes of pear and apricot that pairs well with seafood, salads, light soups, veal, pork, and chicken. Roero Rosso, cultivated on the south-facing slopes using Nebbiolo grapes, is spiced with aromas of sour cherries and black forest fruits and pairs well with rich, heavy meats and sauces.

Gavi DOCG

Gavi DOCG appellation produces dry white wines in the hills surrounding the town of Gavi, in Piemonte. The name derives from Ga Va meaning “land of holes” in the local dialect in reference to the cave dwellings of the area’s original inhabitants. This light and crisp wine produced with 100% Cortese grapes, has notes of pear and lemon and compliments seafood dishes, which is why locals like to serve it with fresh fish caught in the area.

In Piemonte, do not expect mass produced wines, instead, Piemonte’s wine culture is characterized by its many small-scale, family wineries and a focus on high quality wines with a distinct character.

Featured Piemonte Wineries :

This area represents 300,000 hectares of nature crossed by streams, hills and vineyards. Depending on the season, the colours of Monferrato can change beautifully, the seasons also bring a change in the search for different tastes: from hunting for truffles, and collecting mushrooms and hazelnuts,  to harvesting and tasting incredible wines.

The cuisine of Monferrato will delight you with its simple but special dishes based on local products. Its noble wines, such as Barbera d’Asti, Barbera del Monferrato, Dolcetto d’Acqui and its sparkling wines will also make any visit to this area particularly memorable and not one to miss!

This historical are of Piemonte, almost entirely included in the province of Alessandria and partly in that of Asti, is bordered by the Tanaro, Belbo and Bormida rivers and by the course of the Po river to the north. Together with the Langhe and Roero, Monferrato is part a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Its rolling hills are home to ancient castles that make the landscape unforgettable. Camino Castle is one of the most beautiful in Italy. It is located in a park of ancient trees and has been transformed into a luxury b&b where visitors can spend a unique night different from most tourist accomodations. Then there are the Palaeologi castles of Casale Monferrato and of Gabano. The Montemagno Castle of the Calvi di Bergolo Counts, in the province of Asti, has features to discover such as its Baroque entrance portal as a well an underground labyrinth which served as prisons. Or, if youre looking to sleep and spend the night as a king of queen , be sure to check our the Castello di Razzano.

This area is also known for its incredible land art, typically found among the area’s vineyards or its old abandoned chapels which are covered with beautiful murals done by internationally renowned artists. The territory is also covered by the BigBenches, which are public artworks of colourful giant benches known around the world.

Acqui Terme

Acqui Terme is an idyllic Piemonte village located in the province of Alessandria. It is a charming town in the south-eastern part of the upper Monferrato, on the left bank of the Bormida river at 156 meters above sea level. Its origins are very ancient and walking through its streets gives the impression that you have gone back in time. The oldest part is made up of Borgo Pisterna, adjacent to Borgo Nuovo and Borgo San Pietro; the three villages make up the center of the noble city.

The village of Acqui Terme and its fame is inextricably linked to its thermal springs. The most important springs are located in the Bagni district, where at the end of the fifteenth century a spa called Antiche Terme was built, it destroyed in the seventeenth century by a landslide and eventually rebuilt in 1687. Nearby there is also the Regina spa and a large swimming pool from 1927. Newer baths were built during the 19th century and named “New Baths”. Since 2000, in the village’s Piazza Italia, there are two monumental fountains called “delle Ninfe” and “delle Ninfee” which have not been in use since 2009 but have remained for their purely aesthetic value, becoming a flowerbed with colourful flowers and centuries-old olive trees.

Over the centuries, the original village saw constant spread of religious buildings including the three most important churches. The church of San Francesco located near the “Bollente” and is almost completely rebuilt in the neoclassical style in the mid-19th century. Originally it was joined to a Franciscan convent of which two beautiful fifteenth-century cloisters still remain today.

In the historic center of Acqui Terme we recommend a visit to the wonderful cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta built in the Romanesque style with a Latin cross plan, built in the 10th century and consecrated in 1067. Worth seeing is the church of San Pietro also called the church of the Addolorata , of early Christian origin, rebuilt in Romanesque style between the 10th and 11th centuries.

Some other beautiful historical places of great artistic and architectural importance to visit include the Piazza della Bollente, located next to Corso Italia, where visitors will find a octagonal marble shrine, with a thermal spring inside. Legend has it that newborn children of the area were immersed in this spring for a moment, if they remained alive they were called “sgaientò“, or scolded in English, this tradition was used to determine who was a true resident of Acqui Terme. On Piazza Levi you can visit two important civil buildings: the Town Hall built in the seventeenth century which became the town hall at the beginning of the twentieth century and the Robellini house built in the sixteenth century and rebuilt in the eighteenth century style. There is also a Civic Tower that overlooks Piazza della Bollente, it was built on the ancient city walls with a bell and a clock. Near the tower there is  the ancient Jewish ghetto, the Episcopal Palace, the Hospital of Santa Maria Maggiore built in the 15th century, the Paleologi Castle founded in the 15th century and now home to the Municipal Archaeological Museum. Visitors can visit the museum’s numerous exhibits on display, mostly from the Roman times. This castle is now considered one of the “Open Castles” of Lower Piemonte.

THE WINES OF MONFERRATO

Monferrato is a predominantly agricultural area, especially focuses on the production of wine. This territy is known for precious and sought-after varieties which produce excellent wines. Among the most interesting include: Barbera d’Asti, Ruchè di Castagnole Monferrato, Nizza, Moscato d’Asti and Brachetto d’Acqui.

BARBERA D’ASTI

Barbera d’Asti is considered one of, if not the most interesting wine of the entire Piemonte region. Among its characteristics, this wine has an intense ruby ​​red colour, a fruity smell with hints of rose, and a full and enveloping taste. The alcohol content of this red wine is 12.5% vol and must age for about 14 months, and only then can it be defined Superiore. Barbera d’Asti Superiore differs from the young Barbera, firstly its colour tends slightly more orange, its scent is less fruity and has hints of vanilla and spices with a more intense flavour and a great structure.

Barbera d’Asti can be presented in different ways: still (tranquillo), bubly (vivace) and superiore. The Barbera d’Asti Tranquillo goes well with savory first courses and second courses with meat. It should be served at a temperature between 16-18 ° C and goes well with tagliolini with sauce, agnolotti, tagliatele with meat sauce, lamb fricassee and aged cheeses. Vivace Barbera d’Asti is lighter and can be paired with more dishes, such as risotto with sausage, pappardelle with roast sauce, rice and quail. It also goes well with cooked meats such as cotechino, salamella, zampone, verzata with pork rinds, baked lamb, and grilled pork chops. It should be served at a temperature of 16 ° C.

Finally, we have Barbera d’Asti Superiore which, when aged, has great structure and balance and accompanies elaborate meat-based dishes.

RUCHE’ DI CASTEGNOLE MONFERRATO

Ruchè di Castagnole Monferrato DOCG originates from the black grape variety that bears the same name and is grown, in the territory of only seven municipalities in Asti: Castagnole Monferrato, and the villages of Montemagno, Grana, Portacomaro, Refrancore, Scurzolengo and Viarigi.

This medium-sized grape, rich in sugars and aroma precursors produces slightly aromatic ruby ​​red wine, with notes of dried rose, violet and spices, and a taste reminiscent of ripe blackberries, raspberries and plums, with hints of spices such as black pepper. Overall, the taste is usually smooth and balanced.

Ruchè wine pairs well with local dishes, such as aged and blue cheeses and meat-based second courses, however it also pairs with dishes from the around the world which is one of the reasons for its success internationally. It’s softness and depth of its flavours make it easy to combine with foods rich in aromas and spices, such as ginger, and therefore with typical dishes of Asian cuisine, or spicy dishes and, even dishes based on tuna fish! The versatility of Ruchè in its food pairings therefore makes it a truly cosmopolitan wine.

BRACHETTO D’ACQUI

Brachetto d’Acqui, recognized as a DOCG wine in 1996, has the following characteristics: an intense red, ruby ​​or purple colour; its scent is delicate and aromatic, and recalls the scents of ripe fruit and floral aromas, but it also has a musky component and an aromatic persistence, slightly almondy. As for the taste, this wine stands out for its sweetness and for its pleasant, delicate and soft flavour. In the sparkling version of Brachetto d’Acqui, it has brilliant and fine froth which distinguishes the wine, and is characterized by its great clarity. Brachetto d’Acqui is a wine that is not suitable for aging and, consequently, its consumption should not go beyond two years from vinification. The alcohol content of both types of Brachetto is not very high, at 11.5% vol for the still wine and 12% for the “sparkling” version. For Brachetto d’Acqui, the recommended optimal tasting temperature is between 8 and 12 ° C. It is good to remember that the serving temperature should not be excessively low, since the cold tends to block the aromas of the wine. Thanks to its low alcohol content, this wine is suitable to accompany desserts and fruit dishes. Some good combinations for this wine are fruit salads, and baked desserts and pies, which have fresh strawberries or seasonal peaches. Given its characteristics, Brachetto d’Acqui is also often used to prepare sorbets and fruit salads. Another particularly successful combination for this wine is with dried fruit, and in particular with almonds, hazelnuts, walnuts, figs, peanuts and pistachios. Brachetto d’Acqui is also used in cocktails, aperitifs and long drinks, as is pairs perfectly with sweet and savory flavours.

A TYPICAL MONFERRATO MENU

As a first course we would certainly recommend the agnolotti del Monferrato. There are infinite variations of this dish! The name agnolotto is derive from the “anolot”, which was an iron tool used to cut pasta in a circular shape. In one of the first appearances of this dish, the agnolotti are circular in shape, almost like a crown, although, every place and every family has its precious variation on the dish and often square or rectangular pasta are also used.

As for the second course, Monferrato offers endless options, but we suggest trying a very simple dish, which enhances the flavours of the ingredients and which vegetarians can also enjoy: eggs with truffles.

Finally, for dessert we suggest the iconic dish of the territory: the bonet, of which there are many versions and variations, also here with recipes that are sometimes handed down in every family from generation to generation.

Boca DOC

Boca is a typical red wine from the region of Piemonte. With a ruby red colour with slight hints of garnet, a pleasant aroma and a dry aftertaste of granada and oak.

Only after 3 years of ageing can it consumed, including 2 years of aging in barrels of oak and chestnut. In 1969, it was recognized with the Italian branding of DOC (controlled denomination of origin), which certifies its quality and origin.

To truly savour its taste and aromas, we recommend using a glass with large opening, which allows good oxygenation of the wine.

Ghemme DOCG

Ghemme wine takes its name from the municipality of the same name in Piemonte, located at the top of the Novara hills. It is produced in the hilly area of ​​the municipalities of Ghemme and Romagnano Sesia. Ghemme wine takes at least 3 years to produce, 20 months of which in oak and 9 in the bottle.

the Ghemme DOCG appelatation area is located over 50 hectares of vineyards, which means 2,000 hectoliters of wine. The vineyards are located on a series of hills of which extend from the mouth of the Valsesia to the Novara plain.

Gattinara DOCG

Gattinara is a Piedmontese red wine whose production areas extend to part of the territory of the municipality of Gattinara, in the province of Vercelli. Like other prestigious Piedmontese wines, Gattinara is produced from Nebbiolo grapes.

The Gattinara DOCG is located on just under 95 hectares of vineyards, which means 4600 hectoliters of wine. Vines used for the production of this red wine are: Nebbiolo (locally called Spanna), but grapes from Vespolina vines for a maximum of 4% and / or Bonarda di Gattinara can also contribute to the production of this wine, as long as these vines as a whole do not exceed 10% of the wine.

This wine has an aging period of no less than three years, of which at least one year is in wooden barrels. The aging period begins on December 1st of the year of production of the grapes.

Created ten years ago by François Confino, the museum offers an interactive and eccentric journey in the world of wine, which in Italy is conceived not only as the mere product of a culture, but also as an element that determines the habits and traditions of a community, permeates its artistic expressions and gives shape to entire territories. For this reason, Confino himself describes it as “Not a place where you can learn how wine is made, but a place which explains the relationship between us and wine, between the producers and the product”.

The Castle of Barolo was originally born for military purposes, then became a residence, further transformed into a college and finally into a museum.

The museum is spread over all the five floors of the Castle, each with a different theme and a different story.

• Third floor: The Times of Wine
  
• Second floor: Wine in History and Arts
  
• First floor: The Castle and the Falletti
  
• First floor underground: The Barolo College and the Temple of the Enotourist
  
• Second floor underground: Regional Winery of Barolo

The Regional Winery of Barolo is accessible with independent entrance, but it is also an integral part of the museum route: here it is possible to make educational tastings to get closer to Barolo or to learn more about it.

If you are a wine lover, o just curious about one of the most famous wines in the world, this is the place for you: you will learn the secrets and traditions of Barolo while enjoying the amazing venue of the Castle and the breathtaking view from the Langhe!