Piemonte in Vinitaly 2014: beyond Barolo and Barbaresco

Vinitaly, the national wine fair in Verona that attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors from all over world each spring, will raise its lens of perspective to the north in the Piemonte pavilion (10) this year. The spotlight will not always be on the King or Queen of wine – famed Barolo and Barbaresco – but on these giants’ northern Nebbiolo counterparts, and the Alpine foothills to the west, at least for part of the time.

Wine Pass, the official Media Partner for the Piemonte region this year at Vinitaly, is enthusiastic about this theme because of our own focus on the wines, grapes, and territory of all ten wine zones. While the noble land of the Langhe, Roero, and Monferrato will forever capture fine wine lovers’ hearts, the area to the north produces some top quality wines in its own right. Nebbiolo-based wines such as Ghemme, Fara, Lessona, and Gattinara are as unique as a Barbaresco is from a Barolo. Further to the west, fascinating varieties and expressions are produced from grapes like Freisa, Nebbiolo, and Erbaluce in the Torinese hills.

Read our MINI-GUIDE TO THE MANY WINES OF NEBBIOLO and discover ALPINE WINES: THE CANAVESE AREA

In the Piemonte pavilion #10, the presentations and tastings based on Northern Piemonte begin the very first day of Vinitaly, Sunday 6. The first at midday, a presentation and tasting of Alto Piemonte wines, also includes plates of traditional foods of the territory. Later, at 3:00 pm, is the presentation of the Alto Piemonte territory and the new Tourism Development and Promotion Office of the Land of Nebbiolo (Ufficio di Promozione e Sviluppo Turistico delle Terre del Nebbiolo), which is located in Gattinara. Of course, a tasting follows.

On Monday, the Torinese hills are explored in a quick succession of presentations: at 2:30, Torino DOC 2014-2015; at 3:30, the results of the European project Vin’Alp on experimental vinification methods of the Alpine wine zones of Piemonte; and at 4:30, the event “From Freisa to Freisa and Taste to Taste” will be presented, with an “Aperifreisa” to follow.

The last event centered on northern Piemontese wines is on Wednsday, April 9 at 11:30: “Among Vines and Flavors, The Novaresi Hills.” Especially interesting for the wine tourist, this presents a project by the tourism board of Novara (ATL) about their new project of wine itineraries. It finishes with a presentation and tasting of wines from Alto Piemonte paired with typical dishes of the territory.

Cover photo from donireewalker, Creative Commons. License found here.