Piemonte
"Piemonte" is a Protected Designation of Origin that identifies, within it, a wide range of wines, divided into the following macro categories: white, red, rosé, sparkling, sparkling and dessert wines. These include also many productions with indication of grape variety. The precise list of all the wines of the denomination can be consulted within the product specification.
Grapes
White Piemonte is produced by using 60% of Cortese, Chardonnay, Favorita and/or Erbaluce grapes, used alone or in combination. The remaining part can come from other white grapes, suitable for cultivation in Piemonte. In case of red and rosé, however, the varieties required are Barbera, Nebbiolo, Dolcetto, Freisa and / or Croatina (always present at a rate of at least 60%, alone or together). In this case, the remaining part of the grapes may be used from other similar varieties that can be grown in the region. For the production of sparkling wines, the vines that have to be used are Chardonnay, Pinot Blanc, Pinot Gris and/or Pinot Noir. On the other hand, all wines with an indication of the vine variety, have to be composed by a percentage equals to 85% of the grapes (minimum). The exception is Moscato, produced with 100% of the corresponding grapes. Finally, when there are two varieties mentioned, all the grapes must come from these and each cannot be present for less than 15%.
Physicochemical and Organoleptic properties
The breadth of the production area and the number of cultivated vines make it impossible to reduce and simplify the richness of the organoleptic characteristics that Piedmont wines express. Within the specification, you can consult a detailed description of these characteristics, associated with each types of wine.
Grape production area
The production area coincides with large part of the territory of Piemonte, a region in which the climate is strongly influenced by the presence of the Alpine chain.
Specificity and historical notes
Viticulture has been present in Piemonte since Ancient Roman and has always played a leading role, so much so that, between the end of 1800 and the beginning of 1900, the region was the first in Italy for the production of wine.
Source: MIPAAF - Ministry of agricultural, food and forestry policies