White wines from Piedmont: elegance from north-western Italy

Piedmont is best known for its powerful red wines. But if you stop there, you’re missing half the story. The white wines here stand on their own – with a crisp alpine character, genuine aromatic depth and centuries-old tradition in every bottle. From the rolling hills of the Langhe to the volcanic soils of Alto Piemonte and the sparkling vineyards around Asti: these white wines offer a remarkably wide range – few Italian regions can match what is happening here.

The Langhe: where tradition and refinement meet

The Langhe is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and yes, Barolo and Barbaresco dominate the conversation. Yet the white wines have built up a following of their own. Calcareous marl soils, a continental climate – together they ensure the wines develop real complexity.

Three grapes are the most important here. Arneis, also known as the ‘white Barolo’, is a native variety from Roero with notes of pear, white peach, almond and chamomile. Dry, with real texture. Then there is Favorita – lighter, with citrus notes, akin to Vermentino, the sort of wine you open for dinner without a second thought. And Chardonnay, which top producers often ferment in barrels to create something refined enough to age (sometimes surprisingly so). Also worth a try is Nascetta (or Nas-Cëtta), a variety that almost disappeared and has since been revived. Aromatic, suitable for ageing, with hints of honey, sage and tropical fruit wafting through the glass.

Alto Piemonte: high altitude, high stakes

Close to the Alps, everything changes. Cooler air, volcanic porphyry, granite, glacial moraines – the soils here give the wines a briny tension that you simply won’t find further south.

Erbaluce DOCG is the star of the show. An ancient grape, multiple styles: still wines built on bright, lively acidity and citrus, sparkling versions of true finesse, and the prized Erbaluce Passito – a rich dessert wine made from dried grapes. Try all three if you get the chance.

Asti: where Moscato shines

Around Asti, one grape reigns supreme. Moscato thrives in the chalky, sun-drenched soils here, and the wines produced from it have made this corner of Piedmont famous worldwide.

Asti DOCG and Moscato d’Asti DOCG are fragrant and lightly sparkling – peach, orange blossom, sage and honey all come together. The Moscato d’Asti in particular, with its low alcohol content and gentle effervescence, achieves something difficult: it is sweet without being heavy, aromatic without being overpowering.

Gavi: The Mediterranean whisper

South of Asti, Gavi DOCG is entirely dedicated to the Cortese grape. The Ligurian Sea is not far away, and you can taste it in the glass – a briny note runs through these wines, along with a fresh acidity and delicate notes of lime, green apple and white flowers. They pair beautifully with seafood. And with light pasta dishes.

Monferrato and beyond

Another UNESCO site. The hills of Monferrato are home to indigenous grape varieties alongside more experimental work. Then there is the Timorasso from the Colli Tortonesi, a grape that almost disappeared but has since made a serious comeback.

Timorasso is often compared to Riesling, and frankly, not without reason. Structure, ageing potential, complexity – yellow fruit, mineral notes, honey and real ageing potential. People often don’t expect Piedmontese white wines to have this depth.

Alta Langa

Alta Langa DOCG is Piedmont’s answer to Champagne – Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, made in the same way.

A journey through the glass

From the floral softness of Moscato d’Asti to the alpine sharpness of Erbaluce, from the fresh restraint of Gavi to the depth of a well-aged Timorasso – every bottle takes you to a different place. Each bottle carries with it the soil, the climate and the specific hill where the grape grew. And behind most of them are families who have been tending these vineyards for generations.

Discover our carefully curated selection of Piedmontese white wines. Taste your way through those hills.

Frequently asked questions about white wines from Piedmont

Which white wines come from Piedmont?

• The best known are Gavi (Cortese), Roero Arneis, Moscato d'Asti, Erbaluce di Caluso, Nascetta, Timorasso and Favorita.

What is the best-known white wine from Piedmont?

• Gavi DOCG s the best known internationally. Arneis and Timorasso are rapidly gaining ground among wine lovers.

What does Gavi pair best with?

• Gavi is excellent with seafood, light pasta, risotto and grilled fish thanks to its fresh acidity and briny notes.

Is Moscato d'Asti sweet?

• Moscato d'Asti is slightly sweet with a soft mousse and low alcohol content (±5.5%) – ideal with desserts or as an aperitif.

Which Piedmontese white wine can I age?

• Timorasso develops beautifully over 5–10 years. Nascetta is also suitable for ageing.