A Native Grape paradise

A little light info to get us all started on Piemonte.

Regional Vineyard:

Total Vineyard Size

46,605 hectares is the total regional vineyard including vineyards producing grapes for Quality wine, Table Wine & Table grapes

Dedicated to Quality

40,989 hectares are dedicated to producing grapes for Quality wine.

Notable Cru/Zones:

Acqui

Alba

Asti

Barbaresco

Barolo

Caluso

Colline Novaresi

Colline Saluzzesi

Dogliani

Gavi

Gattinara

Ghemme

Langhe

Monferrato

Ovada

Pinerolo

Roero

Wine Style/Quality:

% Red

68%

% White

32%

% DOP / IGP

80% of Piemonte’s wines are produced according to EU DOP Quality standards. Piemonte produces *59 DOP wines including *17 DOCG (top classification) & *42 DOC (2nd classification). They don’t produce any IGP wines.

PIEMONTE NATIVE WINE GRAPES

For now our selection here is a shortened one. The reason being quite a number of Piemonte’s native grape varieties are used for blending purposes only. In order to start our adventure, we’ve listed those grapes which we understand to be available as mono-varietal wines. Naturally as we make our discoveries we’ll continue to keep you posted :)

NATIVE REDS

ALBAROSSA

AVANA

AVARENGA

BARBERA

BONARDA PIEMONTESE

BRACHETTO

DOLCETTO

DOUX D’HENRY

FREISA

GAMBA DI PERNICE

GRIGNOLINO

MALVASIA DI SCHIERANO

NEBBIOLO

In the northern reaches of Piemonte, near Gattinara and Ghemme, the Nebbiolo grape is known as Spanna. Keep your eyes open for it.

PELAVERGA

RUCHE’

UVALINO

UVA RARA

VESPOLINA

NATIVE WHITES

ARNEIS

BARATUCIAT

CORTESE*

When you see Gavi di Gavi on the label, you know the principal variety is Cortese. Think fresh lemons :)

ERBALUCE*

Versatile variety offering winemakers the option of dry, sweet & sparkling wines. So far we’ve only tasted dry. Bright acidity is key for all three. Must try the sweets & sparklers as we’ve read good stuff on both.

FAVORITA

Known in the Roero as Favorita, it is an accepted synonym for Vermentino.

MOSCATO BIANCO

NASCETTA*

Considered the white variety native to Barolo itself. Mineral foundation with acidity that can run from crisp to tart, depending on ripeness. Suggestions of a come back for this one.

TIMORASSO*

One of the great Italian whites, rediscovered. This has a real wow factor. Elegance, finesse, ageworthy. Check out Vigneti Massa, Claudio Mariotto, La Colombera & about twenty other local producers. Small holdings. Well worth it.

OUR STATSOURCES

ISTAT – Italy’s Istituto Nazionale delle Statistiche (Census 2010 / Vineyard Production Figures 2013)
AIS – The Association of Italian Sommeliers.
‘I Numeri del Vino’ – top Italian blog from Marco Baccaglio
Wine Grapes – Robinson, Harding & Vouillamoz
Native Wine Grapes of Italy – D’Agata

*All data is offered as a helpful guide. Naturally it’s updated yearly. We do our best to stay informed :)