A snapshot of Piemonte

An informal Piemonte theme seems to have developed here on Purple pages this week. I have accordingly compiled below a slew of tasting notes of wines from the region, taken throughout last year. Nebbiolo must be the toughest variety to taste when young – but thankfully there were some mature examples, and some interesting whites, to ease the pain.

Gianni Gagliardo told me that Barolo is impossible to make for below €10 ex-cellar, due to low yields from green harvesting, plus the combined costs of staff and hillside viticulture. That is far from an easy buck or ten, though. In...