Meet the Piedmont wines poured at the Moon Flower Hill bar, from Barbera d'Alba and Arneis to Barbaresco, with pairing and season ideas for Texas weddings.
The wines poured at the Moon Flower Hill bar are sourced from Piedmont vineyards in northwest Italy for Moon Flower Hill. Here is why that region makes such memorable wine, what is in each bottle, and how to match them to a Texas wedding.
Why Piedmont is special
Piedmont means "at the foot of the mountains," and the name fits. The Alps curve around the region on three sides, shaping cool nights, warm days, and a long, slow growing season.
In the south of the region are the Langhe hills, rolling ridges lined with vineyards and small hilltop towns around Alba. The vineyard landscapes of Langhe-Roero and Monferrato are a UNESCO World Heritage site, recognized for centuries of winemaking tradition.
The region's signature grape is Nebbiolo. Its name is often traced to nebbia, the Italian word for fog, because autumn fog settles over the hills around harvest time. Nebbiolo is the grape behind Barbaresco and Barolo, two of Italy's most celebrated wines.
Piedmont is also home to many DOCG wines, Italy's top tier of wine classification, with strict rules on where grapes are grown and how the wine is made.
The wines we pour
Barbera d'Alba (red). 100% Barbera from a single vineyard in Madonna di Como, near Alba. Expect bright cherry, blueberry, and raspberry with hints of white pepper and mint. Soft tannins and bright acidity make it easy to love all evening. 14.3% alcohol.
Bianco (white). 100% Arneis, a classic Piedmont white grape. Floral, citrus, and melon aromas with a hint of almond. Dry, medium-bodied, and crisp, with no oak. 12.75% alcohol.
Rosato (rosé). A blend of 90% Bombino Bianco and 10% Sangiovese, with a gentle sparkle. It is best served well chilled, around 46 to 50°F, and loves light dishes, vegetables, and salads. 11.5% alcohol.
Rosso (red blend). 35% Barbera, 35% Dolcetto, 20% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 10% Nebbiolo, with fruit from the Alba area, made to European organic specifications. Red berries, herbs, and spice. Barbera brings the fruit, Dolcetto adds a dry balance, Cabernet adds spice, and Nebbiolo adds structure. 14.2% alcohol.
Barbaresco (red). 100% Nebbiolo from a southeast-facing single vineyard in the Barbaresco area, harvested by hand. It ages 12 months in large Allier and Slavonian oak casks, then 12 more months in bottle. Wild berries, white pepper, licorice, and herbs, with a velvety finish. 14% alcohol. A beautiful choice for a head table, a rehearsal dinner, or a toast with family.
Also on our bar list
Our Beer and Wine package also includes these favorites:
- Dolcetto d'Alba (red). A soft, fruity Piedmont red with dark cherry flavors and gentle tannins. Easy to drink and very food friendly.
- Pinot Noir and Nebbiolo blend (red). Silky, red-fruited Pinot Noir meets the floral lift and structure of Nebbiolo.
- Unoaked Chardonnay (white). Clean and fruit-forward, with no heavy oak, so it stays fresh on a warm evening.
- Italian sparkling. Bright bubbles for the welcome, the toasts, and the send-off.
Barolo is available on request. It's the other great Nebbiolo wine of the Langhe, known for its structure and aromas of roses, cherries, and tar.
Pairing ideas for your menu
Because Moon Flower Hill is a bring-your-own-vendor venue, you choose your caterer and our in-house TABC-licensed bar pours the wine. Here are some easy starting points to share with your caterer:
- Cocktail hour and passed appetizers: Italian sparkling, the Bianco, or a chilled glass of Rosato.
- Salads, vegetables, and light dishes: Rosato, just as the winemaker intended.
- Seafood and chicken: the crisp, floral Bianco or the unoaked Chardonnay.
- Barbecue, grilled meats, and Tex-Mex: Barbera d'Alba, whose bright acidity balances smoke and spice.
- Pasta, pizza, and charcuterie: the Rosso or Dolcetto d'Alba.
- Richly spiced dishes, including many South Asian menus: chilled Rosato, the Bianco, or a juicy Barbera tend to work better than heavy, tannic reds.
- Steak, braised dishes, or a plated main course: the Pinot Noir and Nebbiolo blend, or Barbaresco or Barolo.
- Cake and toasts: Italian sparkling.
Matching wine to the Texas seasons
- Late spring and summer: Texas evenings can stay warm well after sunset. Lean on the Bianco and a well-chilled Rosato, and serve the reds slightly cool.
- Fall: Our favorite wine season. As evenings cool, Dolcetto, Barbera d'Alba, and the Rosso come into their own.
- Winter: the Pinot Noir and Nebbiolo blend, Barbaresco, or Barolo by request suit cozy evenings and plated dinners.
- Any season: sparkling for the toast. Always.
Raise a glass at Moon Flower Hill
Moon Flower Hill is a private estate on fifteen acres in Volente, overlooking Lake Travis. Our bar team will help you choose wines that fit your menu, your season, and your guests.
In upcoming posts, we will take a closer look at Barbaresco and Nebbiolo, Dolcetto, Barbera, and the Rosso, the Bianco and our other whites, and sparkling for toasts.
