Event Description
Our second summer masterclass takes in Italy’s premium wine region of Piedmont.
Home to some of Italy’s most famous red wines, Piedmont also produces some great white wines such as well-known Gavi DOCG (Cortese) and the much lesser known, but equally delicious Roero DOCG (Arneis). In addition, whilst there is a large quantity of mass-produced Asti Spumante, the premium Moscato d’Asti DOCG produces delightful lightly sparkling low-alcohol sweet wines with real character.
However, it is the red wines of Piedmont that are justifiably the stars. The Dolcetto variety (the sweet one in Italian), belies its name as it is quite tannic whereas the most planted variety of Barbera has lower tannins but high acidity. Premium examples of both are to be found.
Finally, we get to the superstar variety – Nebbiolo. Widely regarded as Italy’s highest quality variety and effectively only grown in Piedmont, it is fussy about where it will ripen successfully and it does this most consistently in the Langhe hills to the south of the town of Alba. Combining high acidity and tannin, the wines are full-bodied and from the right location capable of great ageing when the distinctive aromas of “Roses and Tar” emerge. The right locations are of course the two famous DOCGs – Barolo and Barbaresco.
I was lucky enough to visit the region last year and went to both Barolo and Barbaresco. The wines are stunning and so is the scenery (not to mention of course the food). In fact, it was so good, I went back later in the year!
Join us for a deep-dive into Piedmont. We will start with the most-well known white – Gavi DOCG followed by the lesser-known but equally enjoyable Roero DOCG. Completing the trio of white wines will be a sweet and lightly sparkling Moscato d’Asti DOCG
Moving onto reds, premium Dolcetto from Dogliani DOCG and Barbera d’Asti Superiore DOCG open the batting before we come to the highlight of the evening; a comparison tasting of Barbaresco DOCG and Barolo DOCG.
All the wines are classified under Italy's highest DOCG system.
All accompanied by some classic Italian antipasti and cheese.