Piedmont DOCG

Known as "the garden of Italy," Piedmont should be on the radar of anyone who cherishes food and drink. Nestled in northwestern Italy and encircled by mountains on three sides, this fertile region has a perfect terroir for growing high-quality produce. From its plains rich with fruits and vegetables, forests with their legendary nuts and truffles, and, of course, the stunning hillsides carpeted with grapevines, Piedmont has so much to offer the wine lover. It gives us the legendary Nebbiolo wines—Barolo and Barbaresco—famed for their ethereal complexity and long aging potential. Then there is the deliciously food-friendly Barbera and Dolcetto, elegant Gavi, and sweet and bubbly Asti. The DOCG (Denominazione di Origine Controllata e Garantita) classification is the top tier for Italian wine classifications. It controls production methods and wine quality. Strict rules oversee the production of DOCG designated wines, including allowed varietals, winemaking procedures, barrel and bottle aging methods, grape ripeness and limits on grape yields during harvest. DOCG wines are also required to be officially tasted. DOCG bottles have numbered government seals across the neck of the bottle to prevent forgery.