Diligent and Honest People of Piedmont
The people of Piedmont are said to dislike extravagance and be reserved. Many are diligent workers who value tradition and can be stubborn, but once you get to know them, you'll find them kind and warm. They prefer sophisticated and understated things that appeal to connoisseurs rather than flamboyant displays, which sometimes leads to them being called "less Italian" than other Italians.
Piedmont means "at the foot of the mountains," and as its name suggests, it stretches south of the Alps. Due to its geographical proximity to France, French influence is strongly evident in its customs, culture, food, and wine.
Looking at its industries, Turin, a company town built around Fiat, which was founded in the late 19th century, is an industrial city that, along with Milan, symbolizes Italy's "economic miracle" after World War II.
Piedmont: A Region of High-Quality Wines, Alongside Tuscany
Unusually for Italy, single-vineyard culture is deeply rooted here, and the Nebbiolo grape produces deep, long-aging red wines like Barolo and Barbera, which enjoy global renown.
Like most Italian regions, Piedmont has had rudimentary grape cultivation since around 1500 BC, but serious winemaking became established during the Ancient Roman era. By the late 19th century, Barolo as a dry wine was perfected, gaining fame as a great wine with long aging potential.
In the central-southern province of Cuneo, the three major Nebbiolo DOCGs – Barolo, Barbaresco, and Roero – are produced. DOCG Barolo is celebrated as the "King of Wines" and is the appellation that best expresses the power and strictness of Nebbiolo. DOCG Barbaresco is a noble wine alongside Barolo, characterized by its delicacy and elegance.
In the north, red wines made primarily from Nebbiolo in the provinces of Novara, Vercelli, and Turin have seen a remarkable resurgence in recent years. Gattinara, produced in the province of Vercelli, once boasted a reputation even greater than Barolo. It is full-bodied, deep, powerful, and requires long aging due to its high tannins and acidity.
Ghemme, produced in the province of Novara, is also a noble wine, more feminine and elegant compared to Gattinara. These two DOCGs are famous, but there are also other DOCs such as Boca, Sizzano, Fara, Bramaterra, and Lessona, where ambitious producers make high-quality wines.
Not to be forgotten among Nebbiolo-based wines is DOC Carema. It has complex aromas of rose, violet, spice, leather, and tobacco, with a fresh and rigorous taste.
The white wine DOCG Erbaluce di Caluso/Caluso from Turin province is also noteworthy for its distinctive character. Erbaluce is a very acidic grape that produces fresh and pure dry white wines.
Locally beloved is Barbera, with appellations like DOCG Barbera d'Asti and DOC Barbera del Monferrato producing lively and charming wines with vibrant fruit acidity.
DOCG Gavi/Cortese di Gavi, produced near the border with Liguria, benefits from a warm climate influenced by the Mediterranean, where Cortese ripens perfectly to produce wines renowned for their exceptional elegance.
Local people enjoy fruity Dolcetto, considered the champion of daily wines, and fresh Barbera at their tables every day.
Piedmontese Cuisine: Rich in Appetizers
For example, Piedmontese appetizers such as Carne cruda battuta (finely chopped raw beef seasoned with lemon and salt), Peperone ripieno (bell peppers stuffed with tuna, capers, etc.), and Vitello tonnato (thinly sliced veal with a tuna mayonnaise sauce) are all truly delicious.
For pasta, Tajarin, a handmade egg noodle, is famous and is eaten with a meat ragu sauce or tossed with butter and cheese.
Agnolotti del plin, small ravioli stuffed with meat, is also a proud signature dish.
The northeastern provinces of Vercelli and Novara are rich in rice cultivation, known for the premium Carnaroli rice, and risotto made with it is also a specialty.
For main dishes, Brasato, a dish of beef marinated in wine with vegetables and then slow-cooked for a long time, is famous and quite rich.
Bagna cauda, a dish where anchovies and garlic are heated in olive oil and used as a dipping sauce for vegetables, is also familiar in Japan.
As for ingredients, the famous white truffles of Alba are highly regarded! In addition, there are many varieties of delicious Tonda Gentile hazelnuts and cheeses.
The Slow Food movement originated in Piedmont, and the University of Gastronomic Sciences in Pollenzo, founded by Slow Food, continues to cultivate individuals who preserve excellent food culture.
Sources, Citations, and References /
"Professional's Italian Wine Manual, Italian Wine 2018-2021 Edition" Publisher: Wine Kingdom Co., Ltd. Supervisor: Isao Miyajima Cooperation: Nichio Trading Co., Ltd.
