Piedmont sits in Italy's north-west, in the foothills of the Alps, and stands alongside Tuscany as one of the country's two great wine regions. This is serious wine country, built on structure, perfume and a real sense of place, yet it also turns out gentle, low-alcohol sparklers to finish a meal.
Nebbiolo at the summit: Barolo and Barbaresco
The region's calling card is Nebbiolo, a pale, high-acid grape with firm tannins and haunting aromas of rose, cherry, tar and dried herbs. In the foggy Langhe hills south of Alba it reaches its peak in Barolo, the powerful, long-lived king of Italian reds, and in Barbaresco, a touch more perfumed and open in youth. Follow the grape through our Nebbiolo range, dig into Barolo itself, or explore benchmark names such as Gaja in Barbaresco and Giacomo Conterno in Serralunga.
Everyday heroes, crisp whites and gentle fizz
Not everything here demands a cellar. Barbera is the juicy, high-acid red locals drink most, made for tomato-rich pasta and charcuterie, while Dolcetto is soft, dark and fruity for easy weeknight dinners. Among the whites, Gavi from the Cortese grape is taut and citrusy, and Roero Arneis adds a floral, orchard-fruit note. For something sweeter, Moscato d'Asti is a lightly fizzy, low-alcohol charmer, with fully sparkling Asti Spumante for a celebration. There is far more Italian red here than Nebbiolo alone, so browse the wider red wine selection and the rest of Italy.
Piedmont wine FAQ
What is the difference between Barolo and Barbaresco?
Both are pure Nebbiolo from neighbouring zones near Alba. Barolo tends to be bigger and slower to open, while Barbaresco is usually more elegant and drinkable a little earlier.
What food goes with Piedmont reds?
Think rich and savoury: braised beef, game, mushroom risotto and aged cheeses. In autumn the Langhe pairs its Nebbiolo with the famous white truffles of Alba, one of the great food and wine matches.
Which Piedmont wine should I try first?
Start with a good Barbera d'Alba or Langhe Nebbiolo for the style without the wait, then move up to a village Barolo when you want the full experience.