Vino in Veritas II - Piedmont and Northwest Italy

For this article we explore the region walled by the Alps of France to the northwest, by the Alps of Switzerland to the north, and by the enormous bay of the Ligurian sea to the south. There are five regions of winemaking within this hilly area, producing 20% of Italy’s total wine, but 30% of its quality DOC and DOCG wine. ‘Small is beautiful’ where quality wine is concerned, and the Piemonte stands tallest of the regions in Italy.

The Valle D’Aosta

High in the Alps is the smallest region, abutting both France and Switzerland. Naturally rocky with steep valleys at high altitudes, very tiny quantities are made. Its wines are rarely drunk outside the area, but they are fresh, light and refreshing. The highest vineyards in Europe are found here up to 1,300 metres.

Liguria

Some 200km south is the other tiny region clinging to the rocky cliffs of the Mediterranean sea from the French Riviera to Tuscany. This crescent of land is based on Genoa, but its tiny production is hardly ever exported. If you find yourself in Genoa or La Spezia, ask for Cinque Terre dry white. It is clean, fruity and crisp and goes well with fresh grilled sea fish.

Lombardy

In the north, this largest region borders Switzerland and, in the south, the mighty River Po. It has no world-famous wines but produces great music in Milan, and fabulous scenery at the Lakes Como, Garda, Maggiore and Iseo. Whilst you are there, drink the red and white from Valtellina in the north or Oltrépo Pavese in the south. On Lake Garda, drink delicate Lugana white with freshwater fish from the lake.

Emilia-Romagna

We will stroll through this region alongside Tuscany, as more appropriate, when the next instalment of our journey through Italy’s wine regions is printed.