Piedmont is situated east of Turin and on the same latitude as Valence in the northern Rhone, but at a slightly higher altitude. The star turns are Barolo and Barbaresco, both made from Nebbiolo, but Barbera and Dolcetto are very worthwhile grape varieties too. Personally I`m less convinced by the whites but there are good examples of Arneis and Cortese to be found as well as the world`s most misunderstood grape variety- Moscato, most notoriously from Asti. This is a region where wines have improved enormously over the last few decades with many new producers, many ex co-op members now bottling their own wines. It has also provided many opportunities for internecine strife as some take modern to extremes, while others want to be the best in more traditional styles. The hills of Piedmont and Nebbiolo were made for one another with the late flowering grape`s thick skin protecting it from the autumnal fogs from which it takes its name. (CW 23/01/12)