In the north-west of Italy, where autumn fog rolls off the Alps and white truffles are weighed out like gold, sits one of the greatest and least understood wine regions on earth.

Piedmont is famous for its grand old reds, but the everyday bottles are where the region's real charm hides, and where the value quietly lives.

Nebbiolo's Kingdom

At the top sit Barolo and Barbaresco, both made from Nebbiolo: pale, perfumed, fiercely structured reds built to age for years. They are the region's headline act, and worth every bit of their reputation.

The Everyday Heroes

But look to the supporting cast. Barbera is all juicy dark fruit and mouth-watering acidity; Dolcetto is soft, plummy and easygoing; and Langhe Nebbiolo offers a taste of Barolo's magic at a fraction of the price. There are fine whites too, in crisp Gavi and nutty Arneis.

Truffle Country

This is a region that eats as well as it drinks. Think egg-rich tajarin pasta under a snowfall of truffle, slow-braised meats and hearty mountain cheeses. The wines were made for exactly this table, which is the surest sign they were made properly.