Piedmont wine region

Essential Guide to Piedmont Wine Region

Piedmont wine region should be at the top of your travel list in Italy, especially, if you are a food and wine lover. Take advantage of the locality, vibrant cities, breathtaking rural areas, and sophisticated cuisine - everything from rice to white truffles and wonderful renowned wines.

Where is Piedmont Wine Region Located?

Piedmont is located in the northwest corner of Italy. The region is one of the most important wine producer regions in the country and it is well-known for Barolo and Barbaresco wine production. Besides the high reputation in wine production, there is much more to discover in the Piedmont wine region. Turin's flourishing scene of modern art and electronic music is finished with sublime alpine hiking trails, rural towns, and valleys that may offer Italy's best reds and white truffles. Five distinct wine-growing areas with outstanding landscapes and castles in Piedmont are part of the UNESCO heritage site.

Piedmont - "At the foot of the mountains"

The name of the region has medieval Latin origins. "ad pedem montium" meaning "at the foot of the mountains". Indeed, the Piedmont mountains are a beautiful sight for visitors. Piedmont wine region, dominated by medieval castles, is a classic red wine country with around 90% red vines.

Piedmont Wine Region Map

Piedmont vineyards between the foothills of the Alps and the Apennines is undoubtedly one of the important wine-growing regions not only in Italy but also in the world. Piedmont wine region has borders with Liguria and Lombardy in Italy, while from the northwest, the Alps create a natural border with the Provence region in France. The popularity of the region is ensured by the variety of Nebbiolo, from which the wines Barolo, Barbaresco, and Roero are produced. But Barbera, the white Cortese di Gavi, Arneis, and, to a lesser extent, the dessert wine Moscato d'Asti also contribute to fame.

Barolo - The kind of wines

The famous Barolo wine is named after the village about 15 kilometres southwest of Alba. The traditional style has taken a back seat for several years as its wines take an average of more than 10 years to release aromas of dark berries and spicy notes, and the mighty tannin structure gradually begins to broaden. The modern Barolos, which are mostly matured in oak barrels and show fewer tannins due to a significantly lower maceration time, can be enjoyed after the release of the vintage, even though they can still be in the cellar for more than 15 years.

Grape varieties that lend Piedmont wines their distinctive style

Where are the best vineyards of Piedmont wine region?

Piedmont wine region stretches between the Alps from the north and the Apennines from the south. These two mountain ranges have a significant role in the viticulture of the region. They are responsible for the favorable climate and terroir, which produces significantly high-quality Piemonte Italian wine. The Apennines form a hilly landscape in the south and this is exactly where the best Piedmont vineyards are located on calcareous marl or poor sandstone soils.

Top Wineries to Visit in Piedmont Wine Region

Visiting local wineries in the Piedmont wine region, where most of the estates are small and family-owned is a must-do!

We prepared a list of wineries in Piedmont for you, where you can have great wine experiences. You will be enjoying wines, hearing local stories about wine culture, and admiring vineyard landscapes.

Azienda Agricola Biodinamica La Raia

Azienda Agricola Biodinamica La Raia offers a unique ecosystem, where they produce high-quality organic DOCG wines.

Besides being an incredible wine producer, La Raia stands out for its fantastic architecture and it is also a permanent resident of great artworks by Remo Salvadori, Michael Beutler, Adrien Missika, and the Korean artist Koo Jeong. 

Enrico Crola

Enrico Crola wine estate is located on the land of Mezzomerico, a beautiful town in Upper Piedmont.  The winery is surrounded by magnificent views of Po and Ticino Valleys as well as the Alps from the north.

Visit Azienda Vitivinicola Enrico Crola and explore the magical process of turning vines into wines, with a glass of wine in hand. 

Places to visit in Piedmont wine region

Alba - Truffle Kingdome and a birthplace of Nutella

Alba is not only one of the world centres of truffles but also the birthplace of the world-known chocolate brand "Ferrero". And not surprisingly, this is also where the idea of Nutella, love of millions, was born.

Alba is a pretty, medieval town in the Piedmont wine region and it is known for its white truffles. Visiting Alba is also worthwhile outside of the truffle fair that takes place in autumn, although this is always an absolute highlight. But even in the spring, it is wonderful to stroll through this city with its many small, often owner-managed shops and to have an Aperitivo at 18:00 clock in Vincafè. Here, in the pedestrian area, you enjoy a good glass of wine from top Piedmont vineyards in the area with some Piedmontese appetizers - not to be missed!

For the dinner afterward, another insider tip is the Locanda Cortiletto - in a small vaulted cellar. Here you get typical Piedmontese cuisine at an excellent price-performance ratio served with an excellent wine selection.

TIP!

Less than 15 minutes driving from Alba, you will have the chance to taste luscious wines in the familial winery Manera Fratelli!

Turin - Alternative city

A city that gave Fiat car to the world!

The capital of the Piedmont wine region is one of the most vibrant cities in Italy. It is famous for its contemporary art and music scene. But that's not all, Turin is a real gourmet paradise. Innovative food and wine combined with its lovely restaurants, cafes, and art, what else one might dream of on holidays.

And those who like fancy boulevards are right on Via Roma. The 700-meter-long pedestrian street stretches from Piazza San Carlo to Palazzo Reale. Stroll among fashion boutiques, where you can discover high-end shops from designers. Often street musicians provide the background music for window shopping in this elegant and lively city.

The mighty fortress in front of the Turin Royal Palace now serves as a museum of ancient art. The permanent exhibition in the museum at Palazzo Madama extends over 4 floors, where you can see classical paintings and centuries-old works of art from all over Italy.

How about a few souvenirs from an authentic Turin market?

The largest market for fresh products, Porta Palazzo, is located on the octagonal Piazza Della Repubblica north of the Royal Palace. In the historic market hall decorated by a clock, you will find many fruit and vegetable stalls as well as clothing stalls. Behind it, there is a farmer's market, where you can buy fresh agro-products directly from the producers.

_{Check out our list of wineries near Turin to discover amazing wine experiences.}

Barolo - Wine hub with 700 inhabitants

From the medieval castle to vast Piedmony vineyards, the place impresses with an Italian idyll, culinary highlights and culture. This small village, with its approximately 700 inhabitants, gave the name to the most famous wine from the Piedmont wine region.

The market square is surrounded by small streets where you can find plenty of restaurants serving regional cuisine. Here, in this relaxing atmosphere, you can enjoy the sweetness of doing nothing, or as Italian would say, "Dolce far niente".

 

Bonus for nature lovers!

As the name implies, it is a land at the foot of the mountains: on three sides it is bounded by the Alpine chain, which has here the highest peaks and glaciers of Italy. Monviso, the Piedmontese part of Monte Rosa, and the other great peaks form a uniquely beautiful backdrop; Explore the natural beauty of Piedmont!

Colle del Nivolet - Highlight of the Alps

On the northern edge of Piedmont is a mountain pass giant in twilight sleep: the Colle del Nivolet with 2,612 meters is only one-way passable and therefore largely unknown. This pass is especially popular with cyclists and motorcycle enthusiasts but is also ideal for hiking. It offers the visitor beautiful mountain lakes entwined by a gigantic mountain range.

Oasis Zegna - Alpine oasis in northern Italy

Oasis Zegna is a nature reserve in the province of Biella, Piedmont. The history of the park goes back to the 1930s and it is associated with the name of the famous entrepreneur Ermenegildo Zegna, who wanted to help his birthplace to revive. This natural park is ideal for those who want to take part in outdoor sports and leisure activities throughout the year. Oasi Zegna is also part of the Ecomuseo del Biellese open-air museum, where the cultural heritage of the area is on display.

Gran Paradiso National Park

Gran Paradiso National Park was established in 1922 as Italy's first national park.
It lies in the regions of Valle d'Aosta and Piedmont and covers an area of 70,318 hectares, which is mostly mountainous.

In the villages of Cogne, Valsavarenche, and Rhêmes-Notre-Dame, the park has three visitor centers where you can explore the different environmental aspects of the reserve at any time of the year.

It is hardly possible to hike through the park without seeing the animals living here - sometimes even up close. So the ibex is the symbol of the park. He is reasonably friendly and if you are lucky you will see him grazing.

In addition, a visit to the botanical Alpine garden "Giardino Alpino Paradisia" is especially recommended in July, when many of the more than 1 000 plant species are in full bloom!

Discover the best Piedmont Wine Tour Guides and embark on a journey to explore the captivating world of Guided Wine Tours in Piedmont, Italy.

Gastronomy of Piedmont Wine Region

Resourceful, innovative cuisine that never leaves old kitchen traditions behind!

The cuisine of Piedmont wine region is considered by many people to be the best Italian cuisine. She is varied and resourceful, but never leaves the old kitchen traditions closely linked to local products. The kitchen of Piedmont is based in large part on a farmer's kitchen, using fresh, local and seasonal products.

Truffles - the white gold of Piedmont Wine Region

Truffle is a tuber that grows near tree roots and lives as a parasite of the tree. The color and aroma of the truffle tuber depend on the tree species near which it grows. Alba truffles from the Piedmont wine region has been one of the leading with quality on international truffle market.

Tajarin al Tartuffe is one of the most renowned dishes from the region involving local delicacy. Tajarin is the finer version of tagliatelle from the Piedmonte region.
Probably the "Tajarin" was already known in the 15th century, especially in the area of Langhe and Monferrato.

For the dish, butter is melted in a large pan and diluted with a little broth. Cooked and drained Tajarins are added to the pan to mix with butter and later, rubbed over with white truffles.

Agnolotti del Plin - The little navel

Agnolotti or "Tortellini del Plin", named after the shape of a navel, is the most well-known and popular stuffed pasta in Piedmont.

The filling of this variety is usually made from different meats. Veal, rabbit, and fine pork are processed with herbs, spinach, and rice into a very delicate filling. This filling is of such a fine taste that in some restaurants this pasta variety is served on white napkins without any type of sauce, so as not to distract from the taste.

Torta di Nocciola - A sweet temptation

It is not for nothing that Ferrero has its headquarters in Alba because here grow the wonderful hazelnuts: Tonda Gentile delle Langhe, as the name implies, in the Langhe area. The hazelnuts, inter alia, have an increased fat content and therefore form a special taste. The "capital" of the hazelnuts is probably Cortemilia, a village of about 10,000 inhabitants. Here you can roast the wonderful hazelnuts, buy them as a cream, in chocolate, or as a cake.

The hazelnut cake is made out of these delicious hazelnuts is probably the best-known "Dolci" in Piedmont and must be tasted during a Piedmont visit. The great thing about it is not only the stunning aroma and the fantastic consistency but also the fact that it is baked without a gram of flour. The recipe can also be refined by adding a pinch of freshly ground coffee, cocoa, or lemon zest. Delicious!

Insider Tips about Piedmont Wine Region

Where to eat in Piedmont?

Where to stay in Piedmont?

The best wine bars in Piedmont

What to do in Piedmont?

Frequently Asked Questions about Piedmont Wine Region