Great Values from Piedmont
Home to Italy’s great Nebbiolo-based reds, Piedmont offers value with delicious Dolcettos and Barberas.
Star Selection
2006 Poderi Colla Pian Balbo Dolcetto d’Alba ($17)
The Colla family, noted Barbaresco and Barolo producers, have been growing grapes in Piedmont since 1703. Their juicy, firm Dolcetto has floral and wild berry flavors.
Value Wines
2007 Marcarini Fontanazza Dolcetto d’Alba ($16)
Marcarini’s least-expensive Dolcetto, robust and earthy, comes from vines growing primarily in the La Morra subregion of Piedmont.
2006 Prunotto Fiulot Barbera d’Asti ($17)
Graceful and bursting with lively berry fruit, this youthful Barbera is aged for only four months in stainless steel tanks.
2005 Tenimenti Ca’Bianca Antè Barbera d’Asti ($17)
Ca’Bianca is a youngster in Piedmontese terms—it was only founded 50-odd years ago. But it’s achieved recognition through wines like this fragrant, lush Barbera.
2005 Coppo Camp du Rouss Barbera d’Asti ($19)
Coppo got its start in the 1800s making Moscato but has transformed into a Barbera specialist. This modern-style wine, with its rich black cherry flavor, gains spiciness from aging in new French oak barrels.
2006 Damilano Nebbiolo d’Alba ($20)
This simply named Nebbiolo d’Alba is much less expensive than Barolo or Barbaresco would be but offers many similar characteristics: an aroma of violets and cherries, elegant fruit and chewy tannins.
2006 Paolo Scavino Rosso Vino da Tavola ($20)
Superstar Piedmontese winemaker Scavino combines an unusual range of grapes—Nebbiolo, Barbera, Dolcetto and Cabernet Sauvignon—for this juicy, easy-to-drink red.
2006 Vietti Barbera d’Alba Tre Vigne ($20)
The grapes for this herb-scented Barbera come from three different vineyard sites. A restrained amount of oak aging keeps the fruit flavors bright and dominant.
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