Alto Piemonte might not be the first Italian wine region to spring to mind when one thinks of Nebbiolo, the late-blossoming grape that comprises two of Italy’s most celebrated red wines from the Langhe in Piedmont: Barolo and Barbaresco. These wines are so esteemed and so synonymous with the territory that it often overshadows other expressions of the grape, such as those from Alto Piemonte.
Alto Piemonte, or Upper Piedmont, is north of Torino, south of Alps, bordering Lago Maggiore. The soils of the geologically diverse territory include moraine, sand, granite, limestone, porphyry, quartz, and glacial deposits, and include cities and towns like Biella and Domodossola. It’s home to two DOCGs, Gattinara and Ghemme, and eight DOCs: Boca, Bramaterra, Colline Novaresi, Coste della Sesia, Fara, Lessona, Sizzano, and Valli Ossolane. All belong to the Consorzio Tutela Nebbioli di Alto Piemonte
In June, I spent a few days exploring the territory and tasting the wines. It’s lovely and worth a visit — especially the Val d’Ossola — I have a thing for Alpine vibes. Anyhoo, I wrote about it for La Cucina Italiana. and you can read all about it here.
