Photo: Luca Dal Bello, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Piedmont · Sub-regions
Ghemme
Ghemme DOCG — Gattinara's smaller neighbour east of the Sesia. Nebbiolo-dominant, long aging, often blended with a touch of Vespolina for spice and acidity.
Grape Varieties
Nebbiolo, Vespolina
Vineyard Area
60 ha
TERROIR PROFILE · Piedmont
Ghemme Glacial-moraine Nebbiolo
Ghemme: Nebbiolo on glacial rubble — Alto Piemonte's quiet classic.
SOILS
Gravel / Sandlight, approachable
Gravel and sand drain heavily — vines struggle for water, wines turn fine, light and elegant.
Loambody-rich, velvety
Loamy soils give wines volume and a soft, velvety mouthfeel.
Sandaromatic, approachable
Loose sand and wind-blown sand warm up quickly and hold little water — they give aromatic, early-drinking wines with soft tannins; phylloxera-resistant.
CLIMATE · Alpine
Alpine foothill climate in Alto Piemonte, cool and rainy, with large day-night swings. The Sesia valley separates Ghemme from Gattinara; ripening is late and harvest generally in October. Acidity stays high.
TOPOGRAPHY · gentle
Gently rolling moraine hills from the last ice age on the eastern bank of the Sesia, with vineyards at about 280 to 310 metres around Ghemme and Romagnano Sesia. Vines stand on knolls and south-facing slopes with boulders and rubble; the relief is less steep than in Gattinara.
WHAT IT MEANS IN THE GLASS
Typical Flavours of the Region
Region aroma cloud
Piedmont overview
This sub-region is part of Piedmont. The map shows all 15 sub-regions — Ghemme is highlighted.
Overview
Typical Varieties
Terroir & Climate
Wine Character
Ghemme lies in Alto Piemonte in the province of Novara, on the eastern bank of the Sesia river, opposite the neighbouring appellation of Gattinara. The appellation covers the communes of Ghemme and Romagnano Sesia and is small. It received DOC status in 1969 and was raised to DOCG in 1997. The vineyards lie on the hills of the Colli Novaresi at the foot of the Alps.
The soils are of glacial origin: moraine deposits from glaciers that came down from the Monte Rosa massif, with debris of granite, schist, gneiss and sandstone. The climate is temperate continental and influenced by the nearby Alps; Nebbiolo ripens late here.
The main variety is Nebbiolo, here called Spanna, with a minimum share of 85 percent. Vespolina and Uva Rara are permitted as blending partners. Ghemme must age for at least three years, including at least 20 months in wood; the Riserva four years with at least 25 months in wood. The wines are powerful, tannic and ageworthy.
Soil Type
Glacial moraine soils with debris of granite, schist, gneiss and sandstone.
Climate
Temperate continental under the influence of the nearby Alps; Nebbiolo ripens late.
Top profiles
1 detailed profiles — all filterable in the list below
All Wineries
1 resultsEvents in Piedmont
All events in Piedmont →10 Oct – Sun, 6 December 2026
Fiera Internazionale del Tartufo Bianco d'Alba – Wine Tasting Experience
Tasting · Alba
25 Jan – Tue, 26 January 2027
Grandi Langhe
Trade event · Alba
27 Jan – Sat, 30 January 2027
Nebbiolo Prima
Trade event · Alba
24 Apr – Sun, 2 May 2027
Vinum Alba
Wine fair · Alba
15 May – Sun, 16 May 2027
Nizza è Barbera
Tasting · Nizza Monferrato
29 May – Sun, 30 May 2027
Cantine Aperte Piemonte
Open cellar · Piemont
Frequently Asked Questions
What rules apply to Ghemme DOCG?
Ghemme received DOC status in 1969 and was raised to DOCG in 1997. Nebbiolo (Spanna) must make up at least 85 percent; ageing lasts at least three years, of which at least 20 months in wood.
What is the climate like in Ghemme?
The climate in Ghemme is temperate-continental under the influence of the nearby Alps. Nebbiolo ripens late.
Which grape varieties define Ghemme?
The key grape varieties in Ghemme are Nebbiolo and Vespolina.
How many wineries are there in Ghemme?
Cellarmap lists 1 wineries in Ghemme across roughly 60 hectares of vines. Every profile shows location, contact, grape varieties and, where available, vineyards, classification and visitor information.
All wineries in Ghemme, A to Z
- Azienda Agricola Mirù · Ghemme
📖 Look up in glossary
All terms →Related wine terms — clearly explained in the Cellarmap glossary.