Italy

Piedmont

The quality of Piemontese wines is undisputed. Piedmont or Piemonte in Italian, holds the highest proportion of official classified wines in the country, with good reason!

Like many regions around the world, a warming climate has seen vignerons in Piedmont having to refine their viticulture and winemaking to produce wines with freshness and energy.

Piedmont is also home to Nutella, the hazelnuts from the region are insane, the truffles of Alba and the industry titan FIAT.

First Records of Wine Production

Early records of wine production in Piedmont date back to the 14th century. In those days the wines being produced were very different. Sweet reds were the norm. Giuseppe Rinaldi recounting the history of Barolo talks of sweet reds being produced well into the early 20th century. Very different to the great Barolo and Barbaresco wines made today!

Production

Piedmont produces somewhere between 200-300 million liters of wine each year.

Including 42 DOC’s and 17 DOCG’s, the quality classifications the Italian’s use DOCG being the best DOC the next best.

It incorporates an incredible diversity of some of the worlds most stunning vineyards, with significant differences in soil, aspect, influences from the surrounding Alps and water bodies like the Tanaro river in Barbaresco. Such diversity gives us wonderful diversity of wines to drink!

Established Regions

When we think of Piedmont our minds immediately shift to the regions in the south, Barolo and Barbaresco, home to the world’s great Nebbiolo producers. If we add the Roero and Asti into the mix. These cover the majority of the wine produced in Piedmont.

Barolo and Barbaresco are Italy’s answer to Burgundy. Over the last 50-70 years, their vineyards have been well defined and categorised, the push to single vineyard, single variety wines completed. Like Burgundy, a new generation has tried all of the new techniques and now finds comfort with making wines of purity over such as heavy handed extraction and new oak use. Their success, and, the money it has bought has allowed the investment of time into vineyards and practical technologies like sorting tables and temperature controlled fermenters in the wineries.

Up and Coming Regions

The success of Barolo and Barbaresco has seen both the price of the wines and vineyards sky rocket. Drinkers looking for value and wineries looking for affordable land have been moving further afield. It started with the Roero, now we are seeing regions in the Alto Piemonte further north on the ascension. Look out for Spanna AKA Nebbiolo wines often blended with Vespolina from Boca, Ghemme, Bramaterra, Carema, Fara, Sizzano, Gattinara and Lessona. Roberto Conterno of Giacomo Conterno recently took over Nervi in Gattinara now Nervi-Conterno giving you some idea of how the potential locals see in Alto Piemonte.

Most Common Varieties

In addition to the current crop of popular varieties, the Italians have been increasingly looking to save ancient varieties. Not long ago the white Arneis was almost non-existent. You won’t see Nascetta listed in too many wine resources, yet, there is a dedicated group of Piemontese looking to revive this delicious white grape, think Cogno & Rivetto.

Like most regions of the world, we see experimentation with non-traditional varieties too. Winemakers are playing with Riesling, Chardonnay, Viognier, Pinot Noir, Cabernet Varieties and Syrah.

White

Arneis, Moscato (22%) often as Moscato d’Asti a low alcohol moderately fizzy wine, Cortese, and, Nascetta. In the eastern reaches of Piedmont the Colli Tortonesi region is rising to fame on the back of Timorasso, fast becoming one of Italy’s most important whites.

Red

The big 3 are Barbera (31%) the most widely planted grape in the region and for good reason, Nebbiolo (10%), Dolcetto (13%). Lesser known varieties include Freisia and Pelaverga. In Alto Piemonte use the name Spanna instead of Nebbiolo and you’ll often see them blended with Vespolina. The Italian daily drink is Barbera and Dolcetto, before the more cerebral Nebbiolo.


We Won! 2021 Italian List for Australia!


Tasting 1,000’s of Wine, Writting 1,000,000’s of Words & Drinking Just a Few Bottles has its Rewards!

Filters & Sorting

Showing 400 Delicious Wines!

Vietti Arneis 2022

Arneis | Roero, Italy

Arneis makes such beautiful wine. Morish and refreshing. A beautiful wine! Arneis makes such beautiful wine. Vietti's has a sophistication that gives restraint to the core of fruit that has great depth and length. Maple and a hint of baking spice layer on top of white nectarine and friends. Supple with just an edge of chalking phenolic grip, it has that wondeful silvery line of bitterness that cleans he palate up so well. Morish and refreshing. A beautiful wine! "... In 1967 I experimented wi
$57
$54ea in any 3+
$51ea in any 6+
Textural with clever use of oxidative handling to build intrigue whilst maintaining a core of vibrant fruit and mineral acidity. Citrus zest and oils with pears and a little candied ginger. White flowers dance over the top with a little savoury hit. Flowing and luscious, chalky, savoury, spiced, sapidity in a cleansing way. Plenty of intrigue and interest here. An exceptional introduction to Timorasso.
$57
$54ea in any 6+
$51ea in any 12+
🍷Bravo Luca!🇮🇹

Roagna Dolcetto d’Alba 2020

Dolcetto | Barbaresco, Italy

This comes across more like a Neb than Dolcetto! None of the juby, puppy fat, perfumed, elegant, lovely texture and elevage .. just stunning! Roagna's Dolcettos really are something special. When you're feeling like something a little different, made with old vine fruit from the incredible sites Pajè and Carso in Barbaresco.  Applying the same skill and effort as for the Barbaresco and Barolo this is the wine to rip the cork out of! Has to be one of the best kept secrets coming out of Piede
$59
$56ea in any 3+
$53ea in any 6+

Giovanni Rosso Langhe Nebbiolo 2021

Nebbiolo | Serralunga d'Alba, Barolo

Near a decaded ago Giovanni Rosso's Langhe Nebbiolo was the very first wine I tried from the estate. It enchanted then just as the 2021 impresses now! It has the hallmarks of all of Rosso's Nebbiolos: energy, balance, harmony, a caressing texture, restraint & purity. The winemaking here is considered and clever. The tannins are perfectly matched to the mid-weight core of fruit. Showing a level of complexity well beyond its classification flowers, earthiness red and darker fruits with a li
$59
$56ea in any 3+
$53ea in any 6+

Massolino Langhe Nebbiolo 2019

Nebbiolo | Serralunga d'Alba, Italy

A great way to get your eye in on the 2019 vintage! Looks good lovely acid. Fine perfume slatey tannins. Fresh vital sour cherry fruit. A little fresh orange citrus, earthy macerative characters. Excellent thirst quenching nebbiolo. 10-12 days maceration + 15month post Malo. Best one I’ve seen from Massolino. So pretty.
$60
$57ea in any 3+
$54ea in any 6+
Verduno Fruit
Trying Langhe Neb's made with fruit from just one Commune is a great way to dial into the characteristics of that Commune The Langhe Nebbiolo is a the perfect intro to the Nebbiolo range from Alessandria. “Prinsiòt”, a Piedmontese dialect noun that means little princes, it’s the historical nickname given to our family by the inhabitants of Verduno. This Nebbiolo, that takes origin in the vineyards “Sotto Orti”, “Campasso” and “Neirane” all in Verduno. The 2020 is taug
$60
$57ea in any 3+
$54ea in any 6+

Giuseppe Cortese Langhe Nebbiolo 2020

Nebbiolo | Piedmont, Barbaresco

A Langhe Nebb made from young vine Rabajà .. Yes it's true! Always a fun wine. Elegant and juicy fruited, with solid core of fruit wrapped in chewy tannins. It’s a playful Langhe. The 2020 sits true to pedigree. Perfumed with a savoury twang, a little orange. Loads of fun to be had here. Always better after an extra year in bottle & a good decant. Will reward 2-5 years patience. Even his Langhe Neb is young vine Rabajà!
$60
$57ea in any 3+
$54ea in any 6+

Monlia Colli Tortonesi Timorasso 2021

Timorasso | Piedmont, Colli Tortonesi

Released 6 months later than the 2020 and it shows immediately. The extra time offers up a beautifully resolved wine. There’s something about the texture, aroma and flavour profile of good Italian white. That silvery line of bitterness that graces the finish. Out to play, seamless, the texture is refined with an excellent phenolic play married to fine acid. When Pietro visited Wine Deoced HQ we talked of the gentle development large oak casks offer whilst retaining freshness in a wine. This is
$60
$57ea in any 3+
$54ea in any 6+

Praeter Langhe Nebbiolo 2018

Nebbiolo | Piedmont, Barolo

La Morra Fruit from the Vineyards of Luigi Oddero! Declassified Barolo! Not for quality, but, for the shorter ageing timeframe. BOOM! We're seeing more and more whole bunch wine coming out of Barolo. Matt whole bunch skills with Pinot made for a confident hand playing with fruit from La Morra. End results are a beautiful wine, it's really quite delicate for a La Morra. The whole bunch has elicited a fine perfume over vibrant fruit, little hints of spice. The tannins have a little edge of grip, i
$61
$58ea in any 3+
$55ea in any 6+
Verduno Fruit
Trying Langhe Neb's made with fruit from just one Commune is a great way to dial into the characteristics of that Commune The Langhe Nebbiolo is a the perfect intro to the Nebbiolo range from Alessandria. “Prinsiòt”, a Piedmontese dialect noun that means little princes, it’s the historical nickname given to our family by the inhabitants of Verduno. This Nebbiolo, that takes origin in the vineyards “Sotto Orti” , “Campasso” and “Neirane” all in Verduno. A perfume of ro
$61
$57ea in any 3+
$53ea in any 6+

Vajra Langhe Nebbiolo 2019

Nebbiolo | Piedmont, Barolo

The Perfect Way to Get an Early Read on the 2019 Vintage! Vajra make such a pretty Langhe Neb. Playful with a little serious undertone, the same layered tannin at it's level as came through in the 2019 Burlotto. Violets and flowers, bright crunchy fruit, a hit of baking spice. An edge to the mouthfeel that sits nicely with a wave of fresh fennel and a splash of aniseed. Loads of fun to be had here! The magic 8 ball thinks Vintage 2019 will be tasty! This wine is our quest for the innocence of N
$61
$58ea in any 3+
$55ea in any 6+
Verduno Fruit
Trying Langhe Neb's made with fruit from just one Commune is a great way to dial into the characteristics of that Commune The Langhe Nebbiolo is a the perfect intro to the Nebbiolo range from Alessandria. “Prinsiòt”, a Piedmontese dialect noun that means little princes, it’s the historical nickname given to our family by the inhabitants of Verduno. This Nebbiolo, that takes origin in the vineyards “Sotto Orti” , “Campasso” and “Neirane” all in Verduno. Cracking P1SS.
$61
$57ea in any 3+
$53ea in any 6+
Limit 2

Giuseppe Rinaldi Dolcetto d’Alba 2020

Dolcetto | Piedmont, Barolo

Back in 2018 I had the great pleasure of devouring a dozen bottles of Rinaldi's Baroli in one sitting! WOW! When they were at their best they were singing. Unfortuntely, it is near impossible to get more than a few bottles of Barolo and only slightly better when it comes to his Dolcetto and Barbera. We have extremely limited numbers of these packs and are allowing only 1 per member of the Wine Decoded Community. Yes, I am keeping one for myself! The 2020 Dolcetto d'Alba is bright,
NEXT SHIPMENT MARCH 2024

Borgogno Langhe Nebbiolo 2021

Nebbiolo | Piedmont, Barolo

Great drinking here, fine, long, even, and harmonious. Beautifully weighted and long. The texture and level of development have this looking like a very complete wine! Cherry, almond, spice, plenty of fragrance here, liquorice root, and a little new leather. It’s medium-bodied, fresh and lively, pops with red fruit and supple dusty tannin, a little rose oil in the mix, and a ferrous/stony finish of quiet succulence and excellent length. Classic.  Gary Walsh, The Wine Front 93+ Point
$61
$58ea in any 3+
$55ea in any 6+
Get Ahead of the Curve!

Vietti ‘Perbacco’ Langhe Nebbiolo 2020

Nebbiolo | Piedmont, Barbaresco

Two of the best value Neb's on the market have to be Vietti's Castiglione Barolo and this wine Vietti's Perbacco! The 2020 Langhe Nebbiolo Perbacco is another terrific entry-level wine from Vietti. In this vintage, the Perbacco is especially fine. Sweet dried cherry, herbs, mint, crushed flowers, anise and orange peel grace this striking, alluring Nebbiolo. There's tons of depth and sheer pedigree, things that have not always been present in recent editions. For years, Perbacco was a very seriou
$61
$58ea in any 3+
$55ea in any 6+

Vietti ‘Perbacco’ Langhe Nebbiolo 2021

Nebbiolo | Piedmont, Barbaresco

Galloni's interpretation intrigues. The knowledge of the Monforte component in the blend partially explains the bold nature of the tannins. I suspect there are pressings from the Cru Barolos in here. It will require a little patience to unfurl, relax and show its full potential. All of the components are there. Time will see them dial into the right levels, the superb core of fruit develop and the tannins soften. Aromas of grape marc, earthiness, and a little spice wraps dark & brood
$61
$58ea in any 3+
$55ea in any 6+