Piedmont
What makes it special
Piedmont is where Nebbiolo reaches its peak. Barolo and Barbaresco come from the Langhe hills south of Alba, and the region holds more DOCGs than any other in Italy. It is also home to Barbera, Dolcetto and Moscato d'Asti.
What makes it unique
Piedmont thinks in single vineyards the way Burgundy does. Barolo's named vineyard areas map the hills slope by slope, and a grower will tell you exactly which way a row faces. The vineyard landscapes of the Langhe, Roero and Monferrato became a UNESCO World Heritage site in 2014.
Why you should care
If you want to understand what an Italian grape can do in exactly the right place, start here. The famous bottles are expensive, but the region runs deep: a Langhe Nebbiolo, a Barbera d'Asti or a Dogliani shows the same care for a fraction of the price.
60 of these still need a bottle. See them on the wanted list.