Piemonte, translated as "the foot of the mountain," is Italy's leading DOC region with a total of fifty. In this part of northwestern Italy, French influence on the winemaking process is notable. Historically, many fine wines have been produced here-too many to mention short of writing an encyclopedia. This region hosts an abundance of native whites, such as Cortese, Arneis, and Erbaluce. If the whites don't sound familiar, the reds surely will: Barbera, Dolcetto, Brachetto, and Nebbiolo, which is the base grape of Barbaresco and Barolo. Sparkling wine-such as Asti Spumante, a sweet version made from the Moscato grape-have attained worldwide recognition and distribution. Piemonte is also one of the most densely planted wine regions in the country, with a significantly different approach to viticulture. Typically, producers work small plots of land. For Barolo and Barbaresco, the average size of a respective vineyard is 5 acres (2 hectares). Their base grape, the Nebbiolo, is difficult to work with: the skin is thin and subject to harm from numerous factors, including hail. Barolo has been dubbed the "King of Wines" and the "Wine of Kings," while Barbaresco is considered equally powerful and complex. Nebbiolo takes its name from the root of the word nebbia, or fog, and indeed the grape thrives on the thick mist that forms during the late growing season and subsequently allows it to ripen slowly. One might think Barolo and Barbaresco are thin wines at a glance, but the thin skins of Nebbiolo release fierce tannins, creating a powerful punch in these regal reds.

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Castellari Bergaglio

White Wine:

GRAPE: Cortese

REGION: Piemonte

COLOR: Pale Straw

TASTE: Among the noble wines of the region, this white is obtained from vineyards that are over eighty years old through a process of meticulous pruning and thinning at various stages. Originally called Cortese di Gavi, the grape has now become so associated with the town that it is known simply as Gavi or Gavi di Gavi. The smooth texture of the peach fruit is complimented by the medium body and creamy, yet palate cleansing, finish. It is best when paired with seafood with cream based sauces, calamari, and all white meats.

Cesari

Red Wine:

GRAPE: Nebbiolo

REGION: Piemonte

COLOR: Brick red with orange highlights

TASTE: From the town of Barolo, in the single vineyard “Vigna Cerretta”, comes the only wine the Cesari family produces in the Piemonte region. A “heavy, traditional style” best describes this full-bodied red with the ability to age even 30 years. The rich earthy flavors are complimented by the tobacco, cedar, and spicy nuances. Truly the “King of Wines and Wine of Kings,” this Barolo will impress the most discriminating palates. Best when allowed to breathe for at least one hour or after being decanted.

Costa Di Bussia

White Wine:

GRAPE: Chardonnay

REGION: Piemonte

COLOR: Straw

TASTE: Plump but elegant in texture, tangy and lively, with spicy notes weaving through pear, apricot and banana flavours, followed by a clean finish.

GRAPE: Cortese (Gavi)

REGION: Piemonte

COLOR: Pale Straw

TASTE: From the township of Gavi, this white is among the noble wines of the region. Originally called Cortese di Gavi, the grape has now become so associated with the town that it is known simply as Gavi or Gavi di Gavi. The smooth texture of the peach fruit is complimented by the medium body and creamy, yet palate cleansing, finish. It is best when paired with seafood with cream based sauces, calamari, and all white meats.

Red Wine:

GRAPE: Dolcetto

REGION: Piemonte

COLOR: Deep Cherry

TASTE: A widely planted varietal around the Piemontese town of Alba, this red presents a user friendly “drink me now style.” The bright cherry fruit explodes on the front of your palate and carries through to the finish. Medium bodied, this wine also shows balanced oak tones and a smooth mouth feel. Excellent with mushroom based dishes, salads with marbled cheese dressing, and lightly barbequed meats, including pork.

GRAPE: Barbera

REGION: Piemonte

COLOR: Bright Red with Violet Highlights

TASTE: From the township of Alba, this vibrant red is chock full of dried cherry and light berry fruit. The medium body is balanced by a spectrum of flavors including white pepper spice. Generally known as the table wine of Piemonte, this Barbera is designed to complement a variety of foods from pizza to roasts. Exceptional when paired with traditionally Piemontese ingredients such as truffles, mushrooms and soft cheeses.

GRAPE: Nebbiolo

REGION: Piemonte

COLOR: Brick red

TASTE: Known as “The King of Wines and the Wine of Kings,” Barolo is the most full-bodied version of the Nebbiolo grape. This textbook style incorporates all the characteristics of Barolo without overly developing any one of the individual flavors. Violets and rose petals linger just behind the vinuous nose, overly ripe plums give way to tobacco earthiness, and white pepper spice folds into a classically strong Nebbiolo finish.

GRAPE: Nebbiolo

REGION: Piemonte

COLOR: Brick Red With Orange Highlights

TASTE: The winery founders’ signature wine, this single vineyard Barolo was first imported to the United States in the late 1800’s. Luigi Arnulfo created the Campo di Buoi (Field of Oxen) as his flagship wine. The broad spectrum of flavors begins with powerful nuances of roses and violets in the bouquet supported by a rich, full body and a complex earth and mineral driven finish. Aged three years in oak and refined one year in the bottle, decanting will only improve this wine.

GRAPE: Nebbiolo

REGION: Piemonte

COLOR: Brick Red

TASTE: With this wine, Costa Di Bussia has set out to achieve the very best by leaving the finest bunches on the vines during the grapeharvest so that they can be picked when they will have had the opportunity to ripen still further and will produce a more concentrated Barolo. Tobacco, earth and prune character turns to flowers and freshly sliced fruit with mint undertones. Full-bodied, long, with perfectly integrated tannins and a fine, silky texture. Food pairing notes Game, roast, matured cheese (parmigiano pecorino).

Sparkling Wines:

GRAPE: Moscato

REGION: Piemonte

COLOR: Gold

TASTE: A sweet, sparking wine that is famous for its uplifting character during any special occasion, this wine takes its name from the town of Asti. Though equally well known for its Barbera, it was this sparkling that put the town on the map. This effervescent wine shows bright apple fruit; light body; and a large perlage; and is traditionally utilized for wedding celebrations, Christmas, and Easter holidays. Best suited for creamy wedding cakes, Pannetone, and Panforte (Italian fruit cake).

Carlo Giacosa

Red Wine:

GRAPE: Nebbiolo

REGION: Piemonte

COLOR: Garnet

TASTE: This Piemontese treasure highlights flavors of dried cherries and other red fruits, with other scents ranging from wild roses to truffles to cinnamon, balanced by oak, lending the wine complexity. This red balances sweet, savory and spicy elements that tingle on the palate making it a perfect match for mushroom risottos, rich cheeses and truffle based dishes.

La Scamuzza

Red Wine:

GRAPE: Barbera

REGION: Piemonte

COLOR: Brilliant Red

TASTE: A true expression of the barbera grape varietal grown the town of Monferrato in the Piemonte region. From a single vineyard called "Spallone", this red embodies ripe cherry fruit, a medium body and a silky smooth finish. A wine made to be drunk young, when the fruit flavors are fresh and lively on the palate. Befitting its versatility, Baciamisubito (kiss me at once!) pairs well with a variety of foods from pizza to roasts.

GRAPE: Barbera and Cabernet Sauvignon

REGION: Piemonte

COLOR: Ruby Red

TASTE: Named after the hilltop from which the grapes are grown, this wine is vinified traditionally but without the use of oak casks. Rich plum flavors, coupled with the lack of contact with wood, create a distinct red suitable for drinking throughout the day. Furthermore, this versatile wine is perfect for every meal, from traditional antipasti, light pastas and roasted meats.

GRAPE: Barbera, Freisa and Grignolino

REGION: Piemonte

COLOR: Dark Ruby

TASTE: From the town of Monferrato in the Piemonte region, this single vineyard red, called "Vigneto della Amorosa" (the lovers vineyard), is obtained by a selection of the finest grapes and traditional vinification methods. This limited production red (1900 btls.) embodies intense dark berry, cherry fruit flavors a full body balanced out by nuances of oak, pepper, spice, and licorice followed a silky smooth finish. Best when served with roasts, meat based pastas and ripe cheeses.

Piazzo

Red Wine:

GRAPE: Nebbiolo

REGION: Piemonte

COLOR: Deep garnet with orange tint

TASTE: A traditional style Barolo from the Piazzo family estate. The cassis and blackberry fruit flavors are balanced with firm tannins, earth, spice and moderate oak tones. A great match with porcini mushroom based dishes, roasted meats and game.

Rossi Contini

Red Wine:

GRAPE: Dolcetto

REGION: Piemonte

COLOR: Bright Ruby Red

TASTE: From the single vineyard “ San Lorenzo” near the town of Ovada this red shows light cherry and raspberry fruit, a medium body, and a spice driven finish. The name Dolcetto indicates sweetness, because the grape is unusually luscious when mature. Aged one year in oak barrels and refined one year in the bottle this dolcetto can be paired with a broad range of dishes including mushrooms, meat based pastas and full flavored meats.

GRAPE: Dolcetto

REGION: Piemonte

COLOR: Ruby Red

TASTE: This rich Dolcetto is from the single vineyard, “Vigneto Ninan,” near the town of Ovada. At the top of the Rossi Contini line, this premium red is aged in oak for fifteen months. It shows deep ruby color with violet highlights, concentrated Bing cherry fruit, balanced earth tones, and a smooth finish. A great wine to pair with rich roasts, game, porcini mushrooms, and truffle based dishes.

San Silvestro

White Wine:

GRAPE: Cortese

REGION: Piemonte

COLOR: Straw

TASTE: This wine is dedicated to Adelasia, the daughter of the noble Ottone I, Emperor of the Holy Roman Empire. The Cortese grape, which is typically grown in the Monferrato area, produces a wine straw yellow in color with a beautiful floral bouquet and refreshing apricot zing on the finish. Cortese has a delicate flavor, best suited for vegetable-based dishes, all types of seafood and also an excellent aperitif.

Rosé Wine:

GRAPE: Barbera

REGION: Piemonte

COLOR: Ruby

TASTE : A bouquet of strawberries and watermelon with rose floral notes. The fruit up front is balanced by palate cleansing acidity. Balanced and light bodied. Clean with hints of minerality. Great with appetizers, oysters, crudo, fresh fish, seafood based pastas and risotto, cured meats etc.

Red Wine:

GRAPE: Barbera

REGION: Piemonte

COLOR: Bright Ruby

TASTE : This medium bodied single vineyard red comes from the most recognized Barbera producing town in the region. The red cherry fruit flavors are complemented by the medium body and slightly spicy finish reminiscent of white pepper. This everyday wine is to be paired with almost any meal; a perfect match with simple pasta in tomato sauce.

GRAPE: Barbera

REGION: Piemonte

COLOR: Bright Red

TASTE: Known as the table wine of Piemonte, this Barbera is a blend of fruit from the Alba and Monferrato areas. Estimates are that at least half the red wine produced in Piemonte is Barbera. Medium bodied, this spicy red is filled with bright cherries and light berry fruit, and is made to be drank young, when the fruit flavors are fresh and lively in the mouth. Befitting its table wine status, it pairs well with a variety of foods from pizza to roasts.

GRAPE: Nebbiolo

REGION: Piemonte

COLOR: Brick Red

TASTE: The base grape for all Piemontese wines, including Barolo, Barbaresco, and Gattinara, Nebbiolo has become famous for its gripping tannins. The perfumed aromas of wild roses, truffles and cinnamon on the nose lead to dried cherry fruit flavors with spiced notes and an earthy finish. Best paired with hearty dishes like game, and creamy cheeses like brazato and taleggio with polenta.

GRAPE: Nebbiolo

REGION: Piemonte

COLOR: Garnet

TASTE: A new world style Barbaresco from the San Silvestro winery owned by the Sartirano family. The bouquet is powerfully reminiscent of roses and violets while the fruit shows ripe blackberry and cassis flavors. Full bodied and rich, this red also shows light nuances of tobacco and white pepper spice. A wine to compliment all full flavored dishes and especially paired well with ingredients indigenous to the Piemonte region like mushrooms, truffles and full flavored dry and marbled cheeses.

Desert Wine:

GRAPE: Moscato

REGION: Piemonte

COLOR: Straw with Green reflections

TASTE: This fresh, slightly sparkling white wine with a floral bouquet, embodies flavors of golden plums and white peaches followed by a honeyed finish. A palate cleansing wine that is the perfect finish to any meal, especially with fresh fruit and fruit based desserts.

Sordo

Red Wine:

GRAPE: Nebbiolo

REGION: Piemonte

COLOR: Deep Garnet

TASTE: This single vineyard, "Rocche di Castiglione", located within the Castiglione Falletto district in the heart of Barolo produces a delicate yet muscular red. A bouquet of roses and violets compliments the full body riddled with warm earthy flavors, oak tones and spices punctuated by a long harmonious finish. A great match with game, truffle and mushroom based risotto, and all meats, especially game. A Barolo suited to be the "King of Wines and Wine of Kings."

Villa Claudia

Red Wine:

GRAPE: Nebbiolo

REGION: Piemonte

COLOR: Brick Red

TASTE: From the town of Gattinara, this red is the most drinkable style of the Nebbiolo based wines. Aged three years in the barrel and one year in the bottle, the spicy flavors are complimented by lush black cherries, hints of pepper, and a rich, oak driven finish. In addition to its limited production, this wine is accompanied by a "crooked neck" bottle that allows it to aerate as it is being poured and catch any sediment that remains.