This is a guest review from Mark Evitts.
The Wines of Piemonte describes Piemonte (or Piedmont) as a “wine explorer’s dream”. With 59 distinct wine regions, the area offers a vast variety of wines for the curious visitor, both well-known and unfamiliar. David Way’s extensive research and structured presentation make this book an essential guide for wine enthusiasts and vineyard tourists alike.
Table of Contents
Wines Of The Piedmont Region
One of the fascinating aspects of Italy’s wine industry is the sheer number of indigenous grape varieties. Over 350 different varieties have been authorised: by way of comparison, almost all of France’s wine comes from about 60 different grapes. This diversity is apparent in Piedmont, a relatively compact space in the foothills of the Alps.
The region’s most famous wines are Barolo, Barbaresco and Asti spumante. Barolo and Barbaresco are well known for their use of the powerful, age-worthy Nebbiolo grape. And Asti spumante, often and unfairly disparaged, is a fabulously aromatic sparkling wine made from Muscat: it is both generously priced and synonymous with the region. But, as you will discover when you read this book, the Piedmont wine region has many lesser known wines and grape varieties.
The Wines Of Piemonte
The Wines Of Piemonte is written by David Way, an expert wine educator, and his background in academic research is evident in the extensive detail and structure of this book. He begins with an introduction on the history of the region, the growing environment, the principal grape varieties, and a fascinating review of Italian wine law.
He then goes on to look at each part of the region in turn, with an overview of local wines and growing conditions. This is followed by details of local producers, with contact details and everything you may need to know about the vineyards you visit. The book ends with an informative section on the sparkling wines of Piedmont and the different methods of production.
A Diverse Terrain
Of course the better known Barolo and other wines feature heavily in this work but as you read the book you start to appreciate the profusion of wines and grape varieties in the region. You will also gain an understanding of how the varied terroir of the region produces different wines from the same grape.
No book of this type would be complete without a mention of Italy’s other famous product – its food. And a short appendix gives a comprehensive overview of the Piedmont cuisine, from the famous white truffles to chocolate and hazelnuts to traditional local dishes. You can see from the earlier chapters that there are lots of options for food pairing! (If you want to know more about Piedmont food and wine have a look at this post – Experience Chocolate And Wine On A Turin Food Tour.)
An Essential Travel Companion
The Wines Of Piemonte will be an invaluable companion for anyone hoping to tour the region’s vineyards. It will also act as a significant reference book for all wine students and enthusiasts.
The Wines of Piemonte by David Way, Académie du Vin Library, 2023, 9781913141448. Readers of this website can claim a 15% discount when they order direct from Académie du Vin – use discount code BEWITCHED15.
Mark Evitts is a wine afficionado and educator based in Bath, UK. He holds a postgraduate diploma in wine science from Auckland University and WSET Level 3.
