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.


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Showing 399 Delicious Wines!

Feel the La Morra!

Giovanni Sordo Barolo 2019

Nebbiolo | Piedmont, Barolo

Powerful fruit, grape first rich with fine zippy acid. Tight and looking for time to fully resolve. Everything is in its place. Excellent length and depth. Full round fruit shape from beginning to end. A little edge to the tannin and a fine pleasant bitter line to finish. Beautifully perfumed, fennel, a little anise, woody herbs and a light chocolate layer on a core of red and dark fruits. 80% La Morra
$127
$122ea in any 3+
$117ea in any 6+
Due April-May 2024
I first had the junior wine of this back in 1994 while studying winemaking in Adelaide. Over the decades it has become more refined. A great expression of Barbera. Those in the know will tell you that good vineyards planted to Barbera in Asti will beat the bounty of average sites that have been planted to the variety in Alba. "The 2021 Barbera d'Asti La Crena is exceptional. Bright, red-toned fruit, chalk, mint, white pepper and rose petal are all beautifully delineated. In recent times V
$128
$123ea in any 3+
$118ea in any 6+

Cogno Barolo ‘Cascina Nuova’ 2018

Nebbiolo | Novello, Italy

"Floral aromas of rose and iris mingle with red berry and tilled earth on this perfumed red. Elegantly structured, the vibrant palate offers juicy red cherry, crushed raspberry and star anise before a savory, almost salty finish. Taut, refined tannins and bright acidity keep it balanced. Drink through 2030." Kerin O'Keefe
$129
$124ea in any 3+
$119ea in any 6+

Albino Rocca ‘Ronchi’ Barbaresco 2019

Nebbiolo | Piedmont, Barbaresco

Wow! Tagged as the best holding of the estate you can see why! Tasting this 6 months after Galloni, it looks to be resolving and very nicely so! Still dark and brooding, all of the components are there in the right place at the right volume. Red and dark fruit with baking spice marry a perfume that builds with time in the glass. Sophisticated yet intense with a core of fruit, savoury and eathy layers matched to fine grape tannins & acid. Balanced and together, a classic. Impressive stuff.
$129
$124ea in any 3+
$119ea in any 6+

Cascina Luisin Barabaresco ‘Rabajà’ 2016

Nebbiolo | Barbaresco, Italy

Vinification for the ‘Rabaja’ is essentially the same as for ‘Paolin’, although there is more frequent racking during the first week or so of fermentation to gently extract the tannins. Maturation is in oak of varying capacity from 20hl to 50hl for 30 months. Very expressive bouquet with elements of cherry, anise, rose petal and tobacco. While still beautifully elegant and aromatic, this is certainly a more structured and coiled Barbaresco, with intense chalky tannins and a compensating
$130
$125ea in any 3+
$120ea in any 6+

Cascina Luisin Barabaresco ‘Asili’ 2016

Nebbiolo | Barbaresco, Italy

The fruit for this wine comes from the mostly south-facing aspect of the Asili cru, with an average vine age of 55 years. The winemaking is similar to the other Barbarescos. This is perhaps the most compelling of the Luisin Barbarescos, with a textbook Nebbiolo red colour and an intriguing bouquet of so many elements that all come together in harmony. Classic varietal characters of liquorice root, rose petal and anise, alongside brighter fruit aromas of pomegranate, cherry and raspberry, with
$130
$125ea in any 3+
$120ea in any 6+

Luigi Pira Barolo ‘Margheria’ 2017

Nebbiolo | Serralunga d'Alba, Barolo

All south-facing and sitting at 340 metres, vinification is the same as the Barolo ‘Serralunga’. Intense and complex nose with notes of fruit and flowers and hints of leather and fresh hay, while on the palate it’s perfectly knit and very distinctive, red fruited in style with ironstone, choc-cherry, roses and some of the darker notes of cola and porcini, along with textural red plum-skin, grippy, black-tea tannins that underpin, but it’s still generous and very approachable now.
$130
$125ea in any 3+
$120ea in any 6+
2010! That's Right!

Giovanni Sordo Barolo 2010

Nebbiolo | Piedmont, Barolo

Here’s a wine that it pays to know the inside story. Many of you know Sordo currently has 8 Cru wines with more in the pipeline. The two most recent additions have been their Monprivato and Villero. Although they have had worked with the vineyards and fruit for decades they haven’t bottled them individually. So where did the fruit end up? In 2010 it ended up right here in the Barolo Classico and it shows! The La Morra portion, the majority is Galina. With fruit from the likes of Scarrone
$130
$125ea in any 3+
$120ea in any 6+
I've yet to taste the 2018 Bricco San Michele. Given the quality of the Cavallina and Pitasso from 2018 I expect it will be delicious! I trusted friend in the know has devoured one and given it the thumbs up! Note for the 2021: 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 lus
$130
$125ea in any 3+
$120ea in any 6+

Giuseppe Cortese Barbaresco Rabajà 2018

Nebbiolo | Piedmont, Barbaresco

🍇RABAJÀ RABAJÀ RABAJÀ 🇮🇹 There’s a thread through Cortese’s wines of being well composed. The Rabajà sees a jump in sophistication depth and length. It’s such a pretty poised wine. Excellent acid balance and slatey tannins of quality and length. The aroma and flavour of Cortese Rabajà have a certain harmony to them that draws you in. There’s a lot to like here. The perfume is intoxicating. It’s the purity and translucence that shines in Cortese’s wines. Expressive for i
$133
$128ea in any 3+
$123ea in any 6+

Giovanni Rosso Barolo del Comune di Serralunga 2016

Nebbiolo | Serralunga d'Alba, Barolo

The very definition of purity. Perfume, Line & Length, Lush Mouthfeel! Giovanni Rosso’s fabulously good value Barolo Comune di Serralunga d’Alba is made from fruit grown across 8 different estate vineyards in Serralunga d’Alba. The fruit is sourced from Crus such as Cerretta and Serra, also released as single vineyard bottlings, as well as Meriame, Sorano, Costabella, and Baudana A divine Serralunga, it has everything, and, in all the right places. Those who have tried even the Langh
$135
$130ea in any 3+
$125ea in any 6+

Giuseppe Cortese Barbaresco Rabajà 2019

Nebbiolo | Piedmont, Barbaresco

🍇RABAJÀ RABAJÀ RABAJÀ 🇮🇹 The 2019 Barbaresco Rabaja is a powerful, austere wine that is going to need a number of years to come around. I very much like the energy, but readers should not plan on opening a bottle any time soon, as the 2019 is seriously tannic and shut down at the moment. It’s a gorgeous Barbaresco that shows the more elegant hand that defines the approach today. Antonio Galloni, Vinous 94 Points The Rabajà sees a jump in sophistication depth and length.
$135
$130ea in any 3+
$125ea in any 6+

Giuseppe Cortese Langhe Nebbiolo MAGNUM 2021

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. Typically 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!
$135
$130ea in any 3+
$125ea in any 6+

Vietti Castiglione Barolo 2017

Nebbiolo | Piedmont, Barolo

Show the class of the vineyards and the winemakers! The 2017 Barolo Castiglione is a wild, exotic wine. Super-ripe red cherry, kirsch, cinnamon, tobacco, new leather and rose petal all flesh out in this ample, voluptuous Barolo from Vietti. The 2017 is a wine of significant heft hidden behind a wall of tannin. Give it a few years to soften or open it well in advance. Time brings out striking translucence as well as finesse. Drink 2025-2037. Galloni Luca and Elana are consistently showing the
$136
$131ea in any 3+
$126ea in any 6+
Well played my friends, well played! The 3rd 100% Verduno Barolo from Fratelli Alessandria and it’s a beauty. Take the Prinsiot, already excellent, add another couple of layers of development, greater depth of tannin & you’re through the first couple of chapters of this book. An entrancing perfume ... the roses, baking spices, savoury lines, over a foundation of fruit. Tannins flow long & fine, beautifully weighted against the complex, layered flavour profile & energising gracefu
$137
$132ea in any 3+
$127ea in any 6+
Rocche showing the site with faded flowers, a build in tannins here over the Villero adds a significant structural element, the long even shape is present as in past years. Youthful tension and tannins will need time to relax. Wonderful nose of intensity with great depth, rich, brooding, it’s starting to offer quite a lot. Serious with delicacy.  Excellent line, length and balance. Red fruits, chocolate, faded flowers, savoury licks, great drive and persistence. GW: Ripe raspberry, dri
$139
$135ea in any 3+
$131ea in any 6+