Wine Every Mountain

Last week, we looked at wines on different sides of the Pyrenees Mountains. This week we go further east.

Southeast France and northwest Italy are separated by the Alps, and both countries have wine regions on either side — the Piedmont on the Italian side and Provence in France.

The Piedmont
The Piedmont (“Foot” “Mountain”) sits at the feet of the Western Alps. The Apennine mountains lie to the southeast, and the Po river valley lies to the east. One of the world’s most prominent wine regions, it has more DOCG wines than any other region in Italy. It’s the home of Alba, Barolo, Barbaresco, Asti, Langhe, and more. Sure the Piedmont is Dolcetto and Barbera, but the red grape Nebbiolo dominates the region.

Provence
Provence is a land of lavender, Mediterranean beaches, and the snow-capped Alps in the distance. This region is a sun-drenched world, where no vineyard is more than 25 miles from the Mediterranean Sea. Long dry summers mean that grape growers need not fight rot and disease as do their compatriots in wetter regions.

Provence produces both reds and whites but is most famous for its rosés. When the Phoenicians brought Greek grapes and Greek winemaking to what is now Marseilles, on the southeast coast of Provence, what they did was show the Provençals how to make wine blending red and white grapes. Ever since then, Provence has been the heart of French rosés. Traditional grapes are Carignan, Baraboux, Mourvèdre, Tibouren, and Vermentino. Of course, you can also find more familiar southern French grapes like Grenache, Syrah, and Cabernet Sauvignon.

Please join us this Friday for a touch of Mediterranean France and Alpine Italy. This tasting is one of our famous free, walk-up tastings. Don’t let rain or snow throw you from good wine and a good time. Stop by anytime between 5:00 and 6:30 PM.