Tucked against the Alps in Italy’s northwest, Piedmont is foggy, hilly, and obsessive about both wine and food, which is no coincidence given its truffles and slow-cooked cuisine. The marl and limestone soils of the Langhe hills are perfect for Nebbiolo, the fickle, late-ripening grape behind the legendary Barolo and Barbaresco. Those wines are pale in color but powerful in tannin and perfume, built to age for decades, while everyday grapes like Barbera and Dolcetto keep the dinner table happy. Piedmont rewards patience and curiosity in equal measure.