| So you have decided to go to Piedmont in | | | | Barbera d'Asti. If you aren't a fan of tannins in your |
| northwestern Italy. You might want to ski the Alps | | | | red wine you might go for one of the many |
| or visit the Olympic city of Turin that perhaps | | | | Dolcettos that some say taste like Beaujolais. To the |
| unexpectedly is home to a museum housing one of | | | | northeast of Turin you'll find some fine wines including |
| the world's richest collections of Egyptian art, and a | | | | Gattinara DOCG and Ghemme DOCG. Northern |
| world-class automobile museum. Nearby, on the | | | | Piedmont wines tend not to be as well known as |
| banks of the Po River you'll find Borgo Medioevale, a | | | | those south of the Po River, so you may find some |
| faithful representation of a Piedmont village from the | | | | bargains. |
| Middle Ages. Piedmont is filled with castles and | | | | The major red grape varieties grown in the Piedmont |
| cathedrals, and the food is delicious. This lovely region | | | | are Nebbiolo which found in Barolo, Barbaresco, |
| once belonged to France and the culinary influence is | | | | Gattinara, and Ghemme wines, Barbara, Brachetto, |
| obvious. Piedmont is also truffle land; you should open | | | | and Dolcetto. The major white varieties are Arneis, |
| your wallet at least once to taste these delicious | | | | Cortese, Erbaluce, Moscato used in Asti, and |
| delicacies. | | | | Chardonnay which is often quite good. If you want |
| And there is the wine. Piedmont is home to some of | | | | my opinion, make sure you taste some of the local |
| the greatest wines that Italy, or frankly the world, | | | | whites before trying a Piedmont Chardonnay. |
| has to offer. They call Barolo "The king of wines and | | | | Companies selling wine tours of Piedmont include |
| the wine of kings." When it is good it is very, very | | | | Alabaster and Clark Wine Tours Worldwide, La Dolce |
| good. Yes, sometimes it is not that good. Unless you | | | | Vita Wine Tours, and Prime Italy, and Select Italy. |
| know what you're doing, stay away from too-low | | | | Piedmont wineries that offer visits include Braida di |
| priced Barolos. The Turin area itself doesn't offer | | | | Giacomo Bologna in Rocchetta Tanaro, Ceretto in |
| many well-known wines. But to the southeast you will | | | | Alba, Marchesi di Barolo in Barolo, Renato Ratti in La |
| find literally dozens of fine wines including the DOCGs | | | | Morra, and Vietti in Castiglione Falletto. A few words |
| Asti, Barbaresco, Barolo, Brachetto d'Acqui (a red | | | | of warning are in order. Make sure that you check |
| frizzy or sparkling wine), and Gavi also known as | | | | ahead of time for opening hours and whether English |
| Cortese di Gavi. Among the recommended, probably | | | | is spoken. Some places may charge admission; others |
| lower-priced DOC wines are Barbera d'Alba and | | | | may expect you to buy some of their products. |