Rediscover Italy
While Italy’s fame often rests on its sublime red wines from Barolo to Brunello, don’t overlook its sumptuous white grapes. Lesser-known yet equally delightful, varieties like the fragrant Arneis and crisp Verdicchio showcase Italy’s diverse and rich viticultural heritage.
Wine Quiz
Which of the following is a rare and ancient white grape variety indigenous to the Piemonte region in North-West Italy?
- Pecorino
- Timorasso
- Ribolla Gialla
- Greco
Scroll down to find out!
The One That Almost Got Away
This grape is the comeback kid of Piemonte – it was on the verge of extinction in the 1970’s but, thanks to a handful of dedicated wineries, it has made an impressive recovery.
White Barolo?
Arneis, an almost extinct grape from Piemonte, is nicknamed “white Barolo”. Why? It was often used to soften the red wines from Barolo, which were very often too tannic and too acidic to drink young. Check out our video from the Wine Folly Club to learn more.
The Burgundy of Italy
In Piemonte (aka Piedmont), there are a total of 59 regions, including Barolo, Barbaresco, Asti, and Gavi. It produces some of Italy’s finest and age-worthy wines and, thanks to its amazing range of terroir, it is often likened to Burgundy.
Wine Quiz Answer
Answer – #2
Timorasso is a white Italian wine grape variety that is gaining popularity but is still considered rare compared to other more widely-known Italian white wines. The other options – Pecorino (Abruzzo and Le Marche), Ribolla Gialla (Friuli), and Greco (Campania) – are also Italian white grape varieties, but they are not specifically associated with Piemonte.
