A Different Shade of Nebbiolo: Exploring Northern Piedmont

The Nebbiolo-based reds of Northern Piedmont remain some of the most exciting, under-the-radar wines in the world.

Barolo and Barbaresco get most of the attention in Piedmont, but the best wines of the north are equally deserving of attention. Specifically, Gattinara, Fara, Lessona, Ghemme and Carema – all tiny appellations – are capable of producing gorgeous, age-worthy reds loaded with class and personality.

For decades, these small towns, especially those in the provinces of Vercelli and Novara, had been the victims of rampant industrialization and the growth of the textile sector that lies at the heart of the global economy. Over the last 10-15 years, a small number of passionate winemakers have worked to restore these once-neglected vineyards and bring them back to their previous glory. As readers will see, the reds from this undiscovered corner of Italy have never been better.