From our home base, we will embark on a curated, educational, yet fun, tour as we experience daily ventures into distinctive wine regions, surrounded by magnificent landscapes, and visit specially selected wineries in the Piedmont.
The Piedmont region in northern Italy is renowned worldwide for its exceptional wines, many of which have achieved DOCG (Denominazione di Origine Controllata e Garantita) status, the highest designation for Italian wines. Piedmont is a popular destination for wine enthusiasts who can explore vineyards, visit wineries, and experience the local cuisine paired with local wines. The picturesque landscapes, dotted with endless vineyards and quaint hilltop villages, provide a perfect backdrop for our next wine tour.
Piedmont’s wines are not only a reflection of its rich viticultural heritage but also a testament to the region’s dedication to quality and tradition. Whether you’re a seasoned connoisseur of bold reds like Barolo or prefer the freshness of Barbera and Dolcetto, Piedmont offers a diverse and rewarding wine experience.
Grape Varieties
- Nebbiolo: responsible for some of the region’s most prestigious wines, the Nebbiolo grape produces robust, complex wines with high acidity and prominent tannins. The most famous Nebbiolo-based wines include:
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- Barolo: Often referred to as the “king of wines,” it is known for its deep ruby color, powerful structure, and complex flavors of cherries, roses, truffles and tar. Barolo wines are aged for several years in oak barrels and have excellent aging potential.
- Barbaresco: Another prestigious wine made from Nebbiolo grapes, it is slightly softer and more approachable compared to Barolo but still offers similar characteristics of richness and complexity.
- Barbera: Known for its deep color, low tannins, and high acidity, Barbera is the most widely planted grape in Piedmont. It produces wines that are fruity, with flavors of cherries, raspberries, and sometimes a hint of black pepper. Barbera wines are typically aged in stainless steel or neutral oak barrels to preserve their fresh fruit flavors.
- Dolcetto: This grape produces light-bodied, fruity wines with low acidity and soft tannins. Dolcetto wines are often enjoyed when they are young and are known for their flavors of blackberries, plums, and almonds.
Piedmont has several distinct wine-producing areas, each contributing unique characteristics to its wines:
- Langhe: A hilly area known for producing both Barolo and Barbaresco wines. The villages of Barolo, La Morra, Castiglione Falletto, and Serralunga d’Alba are particularly renowned.
- Asti: Famous for its sparkling wines, particularly Asti Spumante, made from the Moscato Bianco grape. These wines are sweet, aromatic, and low in alcohol, perfect for celebrations.
- Monferrato: Known for its Barbera wines, Monferrato also produces excellent Dolcetto and some Nebbiolo-based wines.
In addition to the iconic Barolo and Barbaresco, Piedmont produces a wide range of wines that cater to various tastes and occasions:
- Gavi: A white wine made from the Cortese grape in the Gavi region of southern Piedmont. Gavi wines are crisp, dry, and often have flavors of green apple and citrus.
- Moscato d’Asti: A lightly sparkling sweet wine made from the Moscato Bianco grape. It is low in alcohol and highly aromatic, with flavors of peach, apricot, and orange blossom.
- Nebbiolo d’Alba: A more approachable and affordable alternative to Barolo and Barbaresco, made from Nebbiolo grapes grown in the Alba area.
All wine levels are welcomed and taken into consideration when we plan our groups. If you want to be part of an educational, relaxing, and interactive wine experience, then this tour is for you!
Groups are limited in size to keep our wine tours personal.