Barolo, Barbaresco, and Barbera from Piedmont
Barolo from Piedmont made from the Nebbiolo grape is the “king” of northern Italian wine known for its full-bodied intensity, tannic structure, and high acidity. It’s made in both traditional and modern styles, with the traditional having a longer maceration in larger oak barrels, thus producing a robust and austere wine that is better with long aging. The modern style Barolo has a shorter maceration and is aged in smaller French oak barrels making it more approachable but still age-worthy. Barolo is typically priced around $50 with the most renowned labels reaching over $100.
Vajra Barolo DOCG – Fresh berries, cherries and spice on the nose. Fruity on the palate with vibrant acidity, and notes of raspberry and orange zest. Savory and complex. If you let it age in the bottle, expect notes of rose, truffle, and dried fruit as aromas and flavors will change from youthful to aged.
While Barolo is the king, Barbaresco is considered its queen. Although both made from the Nebbiolo grape, the grapes used to make Barbaresco are generally from slightly lower elevations with warmer conditions that produce wines with lighter tannins that are rich in red fruit notes.
Villadoria Barbaresco – Floral aromas of violet and rose with ripe red fruit flavors like red and black cherry, wild raspberry.
If you are looking for wine from Piedmont on a budget, try a Nebbiolo varietal wine. If the wine hasn’t met the requirements of the DOCG (often because the grapes were grown outside the appellation) it may still be very good, just lacking the prestige needed for a higher price.
A second suggestion for Piedmont wines on a budget is Barbera di Asti. Barbera is made from the Barbera grape from the hilly provinces of Asti. (You may recognize Asti as in Asti Spumanti which is a sparkling white wine made from the Moscato grape.)
La Spinetta Ca’ Pian Barbera d’Asti – Fruit forward with aromas and flavors of blackberry and black cherry. Aged in oak 12 months.
Whites From the Piedmont Area
We talked about reds from Piedmont such as Barolo, Barbaresco, and Barbera. Now for notable whites including Cortese di Gavi and Moscato.
Cortese is the grape variety, Gavi is the appellation (DOCG). Not to be outdone by Barolo and Barbaresco, the king and queen of Piedmont, Gavi is referred to as the “white monarch” of Piedmont wines. Gavi is known for citrus, floral, apple, pear, and mineral notes with light to medium body and bright acidity.
Pio Cesare Cortese di Gavi – Pio Cesare is a five-generation family winery founded by Cesare Pio in 1881. Tasting notes: Floral, pear, and citrus aromas with peach, lime, almond on the palate. Light-bodied with tangy acidity. Pair with the signature dish, ravioli alla Genovese or ravioli al tocco (sauce made from pork simmered low and slow.)
Bricco Quaglia Moscato D’Asti from La Spinetta – Moscato is a lightly sparkling, sweet wine. Circle Liquors has more than sixty types of Moscato ranging in price from $7 to $20. The budget-friendly ones tend to be the mass-produced varieties from companies like Barefoot and Crane Lake. At the higher end you’ll find quality wines from Piedmont like this one from La Spinetta. Lightly fizzy with small delicate bubbles. Floral and citrusy on the nose with flavors of mandarin orange, lime, and minerals. The sweetness is balanced by bright acidity.
Northeastern Region Pinot Grigio From Fruili and Prosecco
Pinot Grigio became one of Italy’s top exports in the 1990s. Popular for its fresh, crisp, light-bodied style. It is produced in the Veneto, Fruili, and Trentino-Alto Adige regions of the far northeastern corner Italy. Veneto often leads in sheer volume, however Fruili is known for producing crisp complex wines that are a product of its terroir in the foothills of the Alps bordering on Slovenia and Austria, and south to the Adriatic Sea.
The Friuli DOC produces 77% white wines. Although Pinot Gris/Grigio is not a native Italian but a French grape, Pinot Grigio is the most produced single varietal wine in the region. The grape is perfectly suited to the cool, mountainous climate.
We did a throw down tasting with these two Pinot Grigios from Fruili. I liked the Ca’ Bolani better but you can’t go wrong with either one.
Benvolio Pinot Grigio – (at a price we couldn’t refuse) Pleasant on the nose with tart apple fruit and bright acidity on the palate.
Ca’ Bolani Pinot Grigio – For just a few dollars more, Ca’ Bolani offers a bit more complexity, adding some minerality to the fruity flavors and sipping a bit smoother and more mellow than the Benvolio. A bit longer on the finish than the Benvolio.
Prosecco, a sparkling wine, is made from the Glera grape grown in Veneto and Friuli regions. Circle Liquor Store has a variety of reasonably priced Proseccos and you can always find some in the cooler. Bele Casel is one of our go-to’s. Ca’ Furlan Beatrice is an inexpensive one that is great for making an Aperol Spritz. Ruffino, known for their superb Chianti, makes a fine Prosecco.
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