Understanding Italian wine. 3 wines to discover one region: Piedmont

In Italy, you find thousands of different wines from thousands of different grape varieties. So it is sometimes difficult to navigate in the panorama of Italian wine. Each region (of the 20 that make up Italy) has its main vine and its flagship wine. Here are 3 basic wines to discover Piedmont.

Grinzane Cavour Castle vineyard. The landscape is a UNESCO Heritage Site. This is the land of two of the most popular wines in the world: Barolo and Barbaresco

The king of Italian reds

Nebbiolo is the grape variety at the base of the famous Barolo (DOCG). This wine can be produced in the Langhe, in 11 municipalities only that are pursued in a suggestive itinerary of hills guarded by imposing medieval castles, including that of Barolo, which gave its name to the king of Italian reds. The viticultural landscape of the Langhe and Roero is so impressive that it has been declared a World Heritage by UNESCO in 2014.

Marchesi di Barolo historical cellars and vineyards are located in the town of Barolo (www.marchesibarolo.com)
Vineyard landscape at Costigliole d'Asti
Vineyard landscape at Costigliole d’Asti

Great longevity white

The Colli Tortonesi Timorasso (DOC), on the other hand, is a great longevity white, which gives its best after 3-4 years. The nose is broad: very floral when the wine is young, it is enhanced by spicy and mineral notes in the course of its evolution. Fits perfectly with risotto with asparagus and scallops, or to fresh or lightly seasoned white meat and goat cheese.

Another great classic

Another great classic of the region is Barbera d’Asti (DOCG), which since the 80s has had a great qualitative revival, both image and commercial.

Contratto Cellar in Canelli.The historic cathedral cellars, now designated to become a UNESCO Heritage Site, are a real treasure, and among the finest of their kind. These huge underground cellars, covering more than 5,000 square meters, were built into the heart of the hill that protects the small town of Canelli, excavated from tuff limestone to a depth of 32 meters
Contratto Cellar in Canelli. The historic cathedral cellars, now designated to become a UNESCO Heritage Site, are a real treasure, and among the finest of their kind. These huge underground cellars, covering more than 5,000 square meters, were built into the heart of the hill that protects the small town of Canelli, excavated from tuff limestone to a depth of 32 meters (www.contratto.it)
Contratto Cellar, In 150 years of winemaking, Contratto went from producing Moscato and red and white wine to Spumante Metodo Classico, as well as Vermouth, tonic and syrups
Contratto Cellar, In 150 years of winemaking, Contratto went from producing Moscato and red and white wines like Spumante Metodo Classico, as well as Vermouth, tonic and syrups