For many wine lovers, Piedmont—or Piemonte, in Italian—means one thing: Barolo. And indeed, Barolo fully deserves its moniker as “the King of Wines”: this regal red has few equals when it comes to transparently expressing place with power, delicacy, poise, and long-term aging potential. Within the Barolo appellation, it is fully worth exploring each commune and, on an even deeper level, each individual vineyard—the nuances are endless, and the wines are capable of inspiring the deepest of emotions.
     But Barolo represents only a small slice of Piemonte’s tremendous diversity of wines. Nebbiolo, the grape responsible for Barolo, thrives in distinctive terroirs all across the region. The more forward and immediately accessible Langhe Nebbioli, the cool-climate reds of Alto Piemonte’s remote appellations, and the supremely elegant wines of Barbaresco—Barolo’s esteemed neighbor—all deserve a close look.
     While Piemonte’s most prestigious wines get all the attention, the heart and soul of the region revolves around its delicious everyday reds. Savoring a cool glass of Barbera or Dolcetto is the way to truly drink like the locals. These unpretentious, straightforward crowd-pleasers offer fantastic value and marry brilliantly with Piemonte’s rich gastronomic bounty: vitello tonnato, bagna cauda, carne cruda, agnolotti del Plin, and tajarin noodles topped with slow-cooked ragù or the ultimate delicacy, white truffles.
     Many other grapes, including Brachetto, Bonarda, and Croatina, complete the vast spectrum of Piemontese reds. Less celebrated, but equally important are the region’s whites, which represent roughly one-third of total production. A crisp glass of peachy Arneis, for example, is crucial before diving into the world of heavy-hitting reds, and no Piemontese meal is complete without finishing with a flowery Moscato d’Asti alongside panna cotta. Finally, don’t forget Piemonte’s famous Vermouth, a versatile specialty made from a mix of local wine with an herb- and spice-infused spirit.
     Get to know all these wines with our Explore Piedmont Sampler—the next best thing to a cool, foggy day in the Langhe, the snowcapped Alps poking their heads out of the gloom, a pungent suggestion of truffles in the air hinting at decadent simplicity. 

Sample Piemonte’s rich gastronomic bounty with Christopher Lee’s recipe for Brasato al Barolo.