Piemonte, Italy
Welcome to the world's most terroir-driven wine region! Shaped by a topography of rolling hills, shifting elevations, and dramatic vineyard exposures, the region produces wines of high acidity, firm tannins, and long aging potential.
This month we've selected some classic favorites, plus a few winemakers who are breaking outside tradition. We hope you enjoy!
The Grapes
Nebbiolo defines the region, planted on the best slopes where the late ripening grape can reach its full maturity and aging potential. The Barolo subregion produces some of world's most prestigious wines.
Barbera, considered second fiddle to Nebbiolo, thrives in the region's deeper, more fertile vineyard sites and actually delivers some of our favorite wines from the area (and at a great value).
Dolcetto is a black grape variety widely grown in the Piemonte region. It ripens earlier than Nebbiolo and Barbera and despite its name, Dolcetto is traditionally dry - aka not sweet.
Arneis, is an ancient white grape variety native to Piemonte. Local winemakers call it “Little Rascal” because of its difficulty to grow - but a few winemakers have mastered the art.
Top Wineries
One of our favorite wineries is Prandi Giovanni, who works within the classic framework, focusing on site clarity and restraint. They highlight the differences of Dolcetto grown in the Langhe vs. Diano d’Alba subregions, and they allow Barbera and Nebbiolo to show their signature structure without a heavy oak influence.
Cascina Ebreo, by contrast, steps outside the DOC system entirely, choosing to forgo classification in order to blend across varieties, vintages, and styles. This allows for a skin-contact Malvasia that builds structure through maceration, and a non-vintage red blend shaped by balance rather than regulation.
Together, these producers illustrate two directions in Piemonte: one tightening the lens on terroir through precision, the other widening it through flexibility—both grounded in the same hills, but interpreted through different philosophies.
Cheers!
