Piedmont

From a humble land come some of the world’s finest wines. Think of Piedmont as Italy’s Burgundy: family-owned wineries, an emphasis on single vineyards, and most importantly an indescribable elegance in the finest wines.

Piedmont’s greatest wines, Barolo and Barbaresco, are made from the Nebbiolo grape—similar to Pinot Noir in its light body and haunting aromatics, yet with distinctly muscular, formidable structure. Despite Nebbiolo’s strong tannin, the best Barolo carry their structure better than any other wine—perfectly framing the complex flavors in a caressing, velvety mouthfeel. It is the ultimate “intellectual” wine, begging you to return again and again, discerning scent after scent, flavor after flavor.

But Piedmont is more than just Nebbiolo: explore Barbera — perhaps the world’s most versatile red food wine. There’s Dolcetto, which can have the jammy-ness of Beaujolais in a more “Italian” structure. Don’t overlook the white wines, from the delicately perfumed Gavi to the racy, mineral-laden Arneis. Last but not least, this is the region that made the first, and still the best, Moscato.