Piedmont

It is located on the north of Italy, on the southwest foot of the Alps. Piedmont means ‘at the foot of the mountains’. It has the largest area under vines in Italy for the production of DOC and DOCG wines, covering over 40 different appellations.

Key varieties:

Cortese – a white wine variety, processes crispy, elegant, perfume and mostly peardrop characters. It is an indigenous grape variety from Piedmont, key appellations are: Gavi DOCG and Gavi de Gavi DOCG. It goes well with gently spiced Asian cuisine – Thai, Japanese or Cantonese.

Recommendations:
Michelle Chiarlo Gavi DOCG (MC001)
Michelle Chiarlo Gavi de Gavi Rovereto DOCG (MC002)

Moscato – is also a white grape variety. Key appellation is: Moscato d’Asti. It produces very floral, fruity and honey flavoured dessert wine, either slightly fizzy or still. The alcohol level is generally very low. It is a very good wine for fruit salad or light dessert.

Recommendations:
Michelle Chiarlo Moscato d'Asti Nivole DOCG (MC017)

Nebbiolo – is the finest red wine variety. It is widely planted in Piedmont and the grape variety for the most well-known appellations: Barolo DOCG and Barbaresco DOCG. The very best Barolo is elegant, complex, and supple with hallmark characters of spice, orange blossom and plum.

General speaking, Barbaresco always give true expression of Nebbiolo whereas Barolo produces ultimate Nebbiolo. Food matching: Delicate food, lamb, duck, mushroom, game etc, goes with aged Nebbiolo whereas younger ones go well with slightly rich food, like steaks, stew etc.

Recommendation:
Michelle Chiarlo Barbaresco DOCG (MC007)
Michelle Chiarlo Barolo Tortoniano DOCG (MC006)
Gaja Barolo Dagromis DOCG (AGA021)

Barbera – is the secondly important grape variety of Piedmont. Babera is the most widely planted variety in Piedmont. Key appellations are: Barbera d’Asti, Barbera d’Alba and Barbera de Monteferra. To produce best Babera needs heat, warmer climate and very serious control of yield to reduce its high acidity and increase its concentration, hence making balanced wine. The best Babera is youthful, very dark purple in colour, concentrated blackfruit and pefume with silky tannin.

Babera goes very well with traditional Italian food as well as slightly Chilli spice Chinese dish.

Recommendations:
Michelle Chiarlo Barbera d'Asti Superiore Le Orme DOC (MC009)
Michelle Chiarlo Airone Monferrato DOC (MC003)