The Northwestern Italian wine region of Piemonte (Piedmont in English) is located in the foothills of the Alps and forms its border with France. The region divides into five extensive zones - Canavese, Colline Novarese, Coste della Sesia, Langhe and Monferrato. Within these zones are a multitude of Denominazione di origine controllata (DOC) and fewer Denominazione di Origine Controllata e Garantita (DOCG). The most important grape variety is the red, Nebbiolo, which produces some of Italy’s greatest wines.
Most of Piedmont's famous wines are named after the grape from which they are made. Exceptions are two of the most well known wines from the region, Barolo and Barbaresco, which take their names from the villages where they originate. The wines they make from the Nebbiolo grape, show off magnificent aromas, and concentrated, complex flavours. The best Nebbiolo wines often cellar well for 20 years or more.
The Barbera grape, which is grown virtually everywhere, produces much of Piedmont’s everyday drinking wine. This rustic red goes especially well with food. Moscato is the most widely planted white grape, predominately used for making Asti and Moscato d'Asti sparkling wine. There has been notable success with the imported white variety, Chardonnay.
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