For all the talk of Barolo and Barbaresco, the Piemontese themselves seldom drink these wines, and for the same reasons that they're not our everyday quaff either: cost. Thankfully, the region abounds in less vaunted wines that can be enjoyed daily without causing personal financial ruin. First, there are the dry whites (easily forgotten given the strong identification with red wines here). Arneis (named for the grape from which it's made) and Gavi (made from Cortese) are the best known, the former being especially attractive for its combination of florality and minerality. Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc are also found in the Langhe but only to a very limited extent.   More

For all the talk of Barolo and Barbaresco, the Piemontese themselves seldom drink these wines, and for the same reasons that they're not our everyday quaff either: cost. Thankfully, the region abounds in less vaunted wines that can be enjoyed daily without causing personal financial ruin. First, there are the dry whites (easily forgotten given the strong identification with red wines here). Arneis (named for the grape from which it's made) and Gavi (made from Cortese) are the best known, the former being especially attractive for its combination of florality and minerality. Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc are also found in the Langhe but only to a very limited extent.

For red wine, the locals lean to Dolcetto and Freisa as "daily drinkers." Dolcetto is very fruit forward, often suggestive of black fruits, such as black cherry and blueberry. Structurally, it can be plump and round, or—particularly if from the Dogliani sub-zone rather than from closer to Alba—somewhat tannic. Freisa is a bit lighter, sometimes with a slightly bitter but refreshing edge.

Nebbiolo isn't confined to the Big B's either. There are Nebbiolo d'Alba to consider, Langhe Nebbiolo, Roero, Gattinara, and Carema.

Finally, Piedmont is home to some lovely low-alcohol dessert wines, most notably Moscato d'Asti (white) and Brachetto d'Aqui (red).   Less