Discovering Piemonte: Italy’s Wine Treasure
Our journey starts in Piemonte—“at the foot of the mountains”—a region known for its stunning Alpine peaks like Monte Rosa and its rich wine heritage. Thanks to diverse soils, microclimates, and a touch of French influence, Piemonte produces some of Italy’s most iconic wines.
Think Barolo, Barbera, Barbaresco, Nebbiolo, Moscato, and Asti Spumante. The region can be split into North and South, both growing similar grapes but yielding distinct wines due to differences in soil, climate, and tradition—an ideal showcase of “terroir.”
North vs. South: Nebbiolo’s Diverse Expressions
For example, Nebbiolo in the South ripens earlier and reaches higher alcohol levels (up to 15.5%), while in the North it stays lighter (around 13%). Soil pH also varies—alkaline in the South, acidic in the North—affecting wine character. Northern soils are lighter and better drained, with cooler, windier climates enhancing aromatics. Northern Nebbiolo is often blended, unlike the 100% Nebbiolo Barolo and Barbaresco of the South.
OUR LANDS
ALTO PIEMONTE
Alto Piemonte is an unofficial term for Northern Piemonte’s Nebbiolo-producing towns, distinct from the more famous Southern appellations like Barolo, Barbaresco, and Asti.
Winemaking here thrives along alpine foothills, with diverse soils and cooler nights—thanks to the nearby Monte Rosa—giving the wines greater aromatic complexity. Though less immediate than their southern counterparts, Alto Piemonte wines are subtle, elegant, and age beautifully, offering rewarding depth over time.
This is a little out of the way from Malpensa and Milan, and only for this reason it comes second on our agenda. Indeed, it probably is the most intriguing part of Alto Piemonte, thanks to the extreme diversity of its soils. We are referring to the other side of the River Sesia, the right side descending the valley from Alagna. There are four important appellations here: Gattinara, the very best known internationally; Lessona, a very small area with sandy soils; Bramaterra, and Coste della Sesia. Gattinara is large, concentrated on a volcanic hill. Its fame makes it a bit more difficult to find small producers, and we decided to dedicate a separate journey just to Gattinara.