Piedmont

Nebbiolo is its most internationally recognised red grape, but it is not the only useful starting point. Barbera and Dolcetto supply different kinds of everyday red, Arneis and Cortese are important whites, and Moscato gives the region a major sparkling and sweet-wine identity. Langhe, Roero and Monferrato are key broader areas.

A Piedmont place name can identify a large region, an appellation or a much smaller vineyard. Barolo and Barbaresco are Nebbiolo wines with separate rules and origins; Barbera names a grape used in several appellations. Distinguishing the grape from the protected wine name makes this complicated corner of Italy much easier to navigate.