Positively Piedmont, written by JoAnn Actis-GrandeMany serious wine enthusiasts I know prefer drinking red wine all year, so when temperatures start dipping, there’s no doubt that they are looking for a real powerhouse. A fine place to begin your search is the Piedmont region of Italy. Here you will find many powerful and tasty reds.Piedmont is the largest region on the Italian mainland, but produces the least amount of wine. What is produced is amazing; excellent for collectors as many of them prefer wines that require aging. My favorite, and much loved by everyone, is Barolo. Barolo is known as the “wine of kings and king of wine.” They are truly some of the finest red wines in Italy, perhaps even the world. Barolo is as a Classified DOCG (Denominazione di Origine Controllata e Garantita), which represents the highest level of quality in Italian wines, and with it’s geography so close to Burgundy, France, it is no wonder why.To appreciate Barolo, you must first understand the region, growing conditions and the nebbiolo grape. Piedmont (means foot of the mountains) is close to the Alps - surrounding the wine growing areas on three sides, amidst the steep rolling hills. In the southwest area of Piedmont, you will find Alba, located on in the Langhe hillsides next to several tiny villages – one with the name Barolo. This is the area the Nebbiolo grape grows with intensity – in fact, Piedmont is the only region that the Nebbiolo grape excels, showing an expression of the terroir that makes the wine so special.The nebbiolo grape (nebbia meaning fog) which produces Barolo is very challenging to grow, but surprisingly does exceptionally well planted in Piedmont where the climate conditions are very cool damp winters, followed by long hot summers. Needing lots of sunshine, nebbiolo is harvested late in the season. This creates wines that have high acid and strong tannins – two of the desired characteristics of Barolo. After harvesting, Barolo must be aged for three years in the barrel and bottle before being released (by DOCG law) and four years for Barolo reserve. Barolo is a well balanced, rich, robust, full bodied, and elegant red wine – defined as a “powerhouse”. The wines can be hard to find and pricey, but well worth the search and cost. Barolo needs to be served with food. Piedmont is known for fabulous food and their local food products are equally superlative with their wine - complimenting each other with their styles and distinctiveness. This is the region where white truffles are found and some of the best chocolate in the world – both wonderful matches with Barolo.For main dishes, the best pairings are the heartier meals, menus enjoyed in late fall and winter. There is nothing better than a glass (or bottle) of Barolo served with lamb stew, steak, pork or polenta with sausages – also pasta and risotto with meat. My choices for top Barolo producers are: Ascheri, Ceretto, Fontanafredda, Gaja, Luigi Baudana, Pio Cesare, Prunotto and Renato Ratti. In addition to Barolo, the nebbiolo grape is also used to make Barbaresco, Gattinara and Nebbiolo (on its own). Other grape varietals and wines found in Piedmont are Dolcetto, Barbera and Verduno Pelaverga – all priced less and are lighter, making them appealing every day wines.Although, Piedmont is highly respected for its rich reds, it is also an excellent region for whites -Spumante (the famous Asti is here), Arneis and Moscato – a sweet dessert wine. The region is a great destination for exploring these wines. Consider visiting the city of Torino for a few days, then head in to wine country – be sure to visit Alba, Asti, Barolo, Barberesco, Bra (home of Slow Food) La Morra, Saluzzo, and Serralunga – just to name a few. Piedmont is a great location!Joann Actis-Grande is wine editor for Taste of the Seacoast Magazine, and writes wine columns for The Celebration Guide, and The Fifty Best. She is currently conducting video interviews with legendary winemakers, along with instructing wine tastings on a Windjammer in the Penobscot Bay of Maine. Her love for wine began early growing up in an Italian household in New York City, where wine was considered an important part of the meal. She has studied Italian wine at the Italian Cultural Center, and has attended numerous private wine tastings throughout the world. She is a lover of food and wine and has traveled to great wine regions from Napa to Cyprus. She has lived on the New England Seacoast for over 10 years where she is principal of JAG Pr/Marketing, promoting arts, education, hospitality and tourism businesses, and features voice over’s for advertising. JoAnn now spends her time between Portsmouth and Piedmont, Italy. jbellagrande@aol.com
