Piedmont

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The origins of viticulture in Piedmont can be traced back to the medieval times. This area between the foothills of the Alps and the Apennines is indisputably one of the world's great wine-growing regions. This is mainly due to the Nebbiolo variety, which is used to make Barolo, Barbaresco and Roero wines. But also Barbera and the white varieties Cortese di Gavi and Arneis and, to a lesser extent, the dessert wine Moscato d'Asti contribute to the fame. Piedmontese wines are of their own character, as many of the grapes there are either not grown in other parts of Italy or play a not comparable qualitative role there. The climate in Piedmont is subject to several different influences. Large temperature fluctuations are kept in check by several mediterranean peculiarities and the protection of the surrounding mountains. Thus, the climate in Piedmont is much cooler than in the rest of Italy. Although the vines in Piedmont are able to receive many hours of sunlight, their ripening cycle is significantly slowed down by cold winds and harsh nights. This gives the grapes plenty of time to absorb different flavors. At the top of Piedmont's red wines are the remarkable Barolo and Barbaresco wines. In terms of quality, the white wines play a disproportionately smaller role, although they may be much better known to the general public in the form of the popular Asti Spumante than the remarkable red wines.