Piedmont has a very rich variety of vines that contribute to the production of some of the country's finest wines.

From Nebbiolo to Barbera , Piedmontese grapes express unique characteristics that reflect the territory and the skill of its winemakers. Alongside the native vines, non-native grapes are also grown in Piedmont which further enrich the variety of wines produced. Let's discover together the main vines of both categories.

Here are the main native black grape varieties of Piedmont

Nebbiolo 🍷

Nebbiolo is the main grape variety of Piedmont and is responsible for two of the most famous red wines in the world: Barolo and Barbaresco.
Nebbiolo produces intense, complex and well-structured wines, with aromas of red fruit, roses, tobacco and spices .

Barbera 🍷

Still on the black berry, Barbera is another native vine, the most widespread in Piedmont, known for its liveliness and freshness. Barbera wines offer pleasant acidity, a fruity character and a versatile aromatic profile that adapts to different winemaking styles .

Sweetie 🍷

Dolcetto is a black grape variety that produces light and fruity wines, appreciated for their easy drinking and lively character, including hints of black cherry, black cherry and almond .

Croatian 🍷

Croatina is an indigenous vine that occupies an important position in Piedmont: widely cultivated in the Monferrato and Oltrepò Pavese areas, it stands out for its versatility (it can be used for the production of red and sparkling wines).
Croatina is appreciated for its fruity character and its soft structure, with aromas of black fruit, such as cherry and plum, and can express spicy and tobacco nuances .

Freisa 🍷

Freisa is an indigenous Piedmont vine that has a long history. Freisa is known for its lively acidity, firm tannins and distinctive aromatic profile .
The red wines obtained from freisa have an intense ruby ​​color and an aromatic complexity that ranges from notes of red fruit, such as cherry and raspberry, to earthy and spicy hints. On the palate, you can perceive present but soft tannins, which give structure and balance to the wine. Depending on the winemaking techniques adopted, Freisa wines can be both fresh and fruity, suitable for young consumption, or more structured and capable of refinement. In addition to red wines, Freisa is sometimes used to produce sparkling wines with a lively and fruity character.

Grignolino 🍷

Grignolino is an indigenous Piedmont vine mainly grown in the Monferrato areas, in particular in the provinces of Asti and Alessandria.
The wines obtained from Grignolino are characterized by a pale, light pink color and a moderate tannic structure. They have an aromatic profile with hints of strawberries, cherries, aromatic herbs and spices . Their lively acidity gives them a fresh and lively character, while the sweet and soft tannins make them pleasant on the palate.
Grignolino presents itself as a fruity, fresh and versatile wine that can be consumed young. However, some producers choose to use more complex winemaking methods, such as wood aging or extended maceration, to create more structured and complex wines that can age.

Ruchè 🍷

Ruchè un is an indigenous Piedmont vine originating from the Castagnole Monferrato area, in the province of Asti, known for the production of aromatic red wines, with hints of flowers, in particular rose and violet, red fruit and spices. Ruchè is also appreciated for its balanced structure, with silky tannins and a pleasant acidity.

Albarossa 🍷

Albarossa is a hybrid vine obtained from the cross between Barbera and Nebbiolo in 1938 by Professor Giovanni Dalmasso at the Center of Ampelography and Oenology of Asti. Albarossa is mainly cultivated in the areas of Monferrato, Asti and in the province of Alessandria , and is known for producing full-bodied, structured and aromatic red wines, with aromas of ripe red fruit, such as cherries and plums, alongside spicy and earthy nuances .

Black Moscato 🍷

Moscato is a very widespread and important grape variety for Piedmontese winemaking, in its white and black variants, both appreciated for their distinctive aromatic profile and sweet character.
Black Moscato or Moscato di Scanzo produces sweet and aromatic red wines, with an intense ruby ​​color and an intense bouquet of ripe red fruit, spices and floral notes.

Here are the main native white grape varieties of Piedmont

White Moscato 🥂

White Moscato is the most cultivated white grape variety in Piedmont and produces sweet, sparkling and aromatic wines. These wines are famous for their intense and seductive aromas of flowers, tropical fruit, citrus and honey. The balanced sweetness, light effervescence and fresh acidity make them pleasant and refreshing. Also worth mentioning is the yellow muscat , whose production is decidedly lower than the white one.

Arneis 🥂

Arneis is a native white grape variety that offers fresh, fragrant and delicate wines. This grape is mainly used to produce Roero Arneis, a refined and aromatic white with notes of white flowers, peach and apple .

Timorasso 🥂

Timorasso is an indigenous grape variety that is experiencing a real rebirth in Piedmont. This vine had almost been forgotten, but in recent decades it has been rediscovered and valorised by passionate producers starting with Walter Massa. It produces white wines of great personality, with a unique aromatic complexity. Timorasso wines are characterized by a golden yellow color, a structured body and notable acidity, with intense aromas of exotic fruit, citrus fruits, white flowers and a pleasant mineral note . Particularly appreciated for its ability to age, over the years it develops further complexity and softness.

Courteous 🥂

Cortese is another native grape variety of Piedmont, known for being the main protagonist of Gavi white wine. It stands out for its freshness, lively acidity and delicate aromatic profile with aromas of citrus, white peach and wild flowers .

Favorite 🥂

The favorite is a native white grape variety from Piedmont, grown mainly in the Langhe, also known as "Vermentino Piemontese" or "Pigato Bianco" and known for its freshness, lively acidity and aromatic aroma . Often used to produce dry and sparkling wines.

Erbaluce 🥂

Erbaluce is an indigenous white vine from Piedmont, originating from the Caluso area, in the province of Turin. This grape variety is known for producing fresh, vibrant white wines and complex aromatic bouquet. This grape variety is considered a hidden gem of Piedmont and is gaining more and more recognition thanks to its quality and distinctive character.

The production of wines from international and non-native vines is much less extensive than that from native grapes, however even in Piedmont vines from other countries are grown, which have adapted perfectly to the Piedmontese territory.

Here are the main international vines of Piedmont

Chardonnay 🥂

Chardonnay is one of the most widespread and appreciated international grape varieties. In Piedmont, it produces elegant, complex and structured white wines, with notes of tropical fruit, citrus and vanilla.

Cabernet sauvignon 🍷

Cabernet sauvignon , a vine originating from Bordeaux, France, has been successfully adopted in Piedmont in the black and white version and so has merlot - another international vine originating from Bordeaux - known for its softness. Merlot wines have hints of ripe red fruit, aromatic herbs and chocolate.