Explore Piemonte: grape varieties, sparkling and more
When wine lovers think of Piemonte, they usually think of Barolo and Barbaresco, not least because of the fame of the wines. But there is so much more to Piemonte: around 60 native grape varieties, a range of sparkling wines, little-known denominations and more.
Discover Piemonte in greater depth
For a comprehensive guide to the history, vineyards, producers and wines of Piemonte, explore my award-winning book The Wines of Piemonte, available in English and Italian. Both editions include detailed coverage of the history, geology, producers, regulations and wines, together with maps, to help you explore the region. Click either cover for more details.
Piemonte grape varieties
| Introduces the five native red grape varieties that define Monferrato, including Barbera, Grignolino, Ruchè and Albarossa. Explains their distinctive styles and why the region offers far more than its famous Nebbiolo neighbours. |
Explores one of Piemonte’s oldest native grapes, combining freshness, perfume and firm tannins. Shows why Freisa deserves recognition beyond its reputation as Nebbiolo’s country cousin.
Examines how ambitious producers are transforming Grignolino into a more serious, ageworthy wine. Challenges preconceptions about one of Piemonte’s most distinctive varieties.
Discover the rare native grape Uvalino, rescued from near extinction in Monferrato. It produces deeply flavoured, long-lived wines with firm tannins, making it one of Piemonte’s most distinctive hidden treasures.
Assessment of Piemonte’s modern Barbera × Chatus crossing (Albarossa), through a range of examples, with consideration of the variety’s quality and identity.
Profiles one of Piemonte’s exciting younger producers, illustrating how a new generation is building on traditional vineyards. Barbera and a remarkable dry Moscato.
Sparkling Piemonte
Explores the origins of Piemonte’s sparkling wine industry, showing how Carlo Gancia pioneered traditional-method sparkling wine decades before Franciacorta or Trento became famous.
Demonstrates the remarkable diversity of Piemonte’s fruit-expressive sparkling wines, from dry styles to aromatic Moscato and Brachetto.
Introduces the Asti region through visits to leading producers, exploring the vineyards, people and traditions behind one of Italy’s best-known sparkling wine regions.
Monferrato and beyond
Compares the two wineries that have done most to establish Barbera as one of Italy’s great fine wines and their different styles.
Explores the Terre dei Santi co-operative, illustrating how co-operatives preserve local grape varieties – including Freisa and Cari – and sustain family viticulture.
Introduces Piemonte’s least-known denominations and their rare indigenous grape varieties. Explains why these tiny denominations deserve greater attention despite their very small production.
Reveals the little-known Alba DOC and explains how it differs from the more familiar Barbera d’Alba and Dolcetto d’Alba. An intriguing look at one of Piemonte’s most overlooked denominations.
Explores the two principal Barbera denominations in Monferrato and the issue of multiple denominations. Expressing terroir or sowing confusion?
Even in my blogging days, I was fascinated by the different expressions of Barbera in Piemonte. Frizzante, simple or bold and age-worthy?
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