DOC Piemonte D.O.C. wines awarded at the Gilbert & Gaillard International Challenge

Denominazione di Origine Controllata

The Piemonte D.O.C. appellation covers nearly the entire winegrowing area of Piedmont, spread across the provinces of Alessandria, Asti, Cuneo, Torino, Novara, Biella, Vercelli and Verbano-Cusio-Ossola. Vineyards lie mainly on hills south of the Po river, between 100 and 600 metres above sea level, extending into pre-Alpine areas to the north and west of the region. Soils are largely calcareous, ranging from sandy-loam to silty clay-loam, originating from marine sedimentary deposits in the southern hills and more metamorphic material closer to the mountains. The climate is continental, with cold winters, hot dry summers and moderate annual rainfall, the Alps shielding the region from north-western currents. A wide range of native and international grape varieties is authorised: cortese, chardonnay, favorita and erbaluce for whites, barbera, nebbiolo, dolcetto, freisa and croatina for reds and rosés, alongside brachetto, grignolino, bonarda, albarossa, cabernet, merlot, pinot noir and syrah. This geographic breadth and varietal diversity set Piemonte D.O.C. apart from Piedmont's more narrowly defined communal appellations.

The wines of this appellation

Piemonte D.O.C. produces a wide range of wines: white, red, rosé, sparkling, semi-sparkling and raisined (passito) styles. Whites, made mainly from cortese, chardonnay, favorita or moscato, show a straw-yellow colour, a fresh, intense nose and a dry to off-dry palate, sometimes with pronounced floral notes when moscato dominates, or fruitier notes with sauvignon. Reds display a lively colour ranging from violet to garnet depending on the variety, with red-fruit aromas occasionally tinged with herbaceous notes; tannins range from soft (barbera) to firmer (albarossa, freisa). Rosés, with colours ranging from orange to cherry-pink, are fresh and easy-drinking. Sparkling wines, made by second fermentation in tank, show a fine, persistent mousse, from brut to sweet for aromatic varieties such as brachetto. Passito wines, more concentrated and full-bodied, develop structure and ageing potential. White and rosé wines pair with starters and fish, reds with meat and pasta dishes, and passito wines with desserts and aged cheeses.