Piedmont is not as popular with tourists as Tuscany, and perhaps you may not have considered it for your next Italian vacation. If you are a food and wine lover, here are my top 3 reasons to visit Piedmont.1 - The Wine
Piedmont is where I fell in love with wine. It was 2008, and I was on my first trip to Italy. We started in Rome, and after three days there we took a short flight to Milan. We landed there and rented a car, and made our way to our villa near Alba. It was fall, and we took a drive to the village of Barolo, with the castle on top of the hill, home to an Enoteca where you can taste Barolo wines from various producers. No one spoke English, and my Italian at that point was limited, but we managed. We visited three wineries that day, and by the end of the day were completely in love with Barolo. So much so that we took six bottles home as souvenirs.
The area is the home of Barolo, which is "King of Italian Wines". Barolo is a high tannin, high acid wine made from the Nebbiolo grape. It is best after it's had time to develop in the bottle. To me, the aromas of an aged Barolo evoke roses, tobacco and leather while the velvety tannins caress your palate and the acidity keeps it lively. It is one of my favorite wines in the world.
But there is more to Piemontese wines than Barolo. Piedmont is home to many other great wines. For red wine lovers there is Barbaresco, Gattinara and Barbera d'Asti. For white wine lovers there is Gavi and for those who like something sweet Moscato d'Asti also comes from this region.
2- The Food
Piedmont is the home of Slow Food, a non-profit organization that was started in 1989 to protect food enjoyment, biodiversity and sustainability. The area is home to 19 Michelin-starred restaurants, and offers a variety food and wine experiences, from traditional restaurants to more avant-garde ventures by modern chefs. In addition to the fine dining opportunities the area offers, you can deepen your experience through cooking classes, tours of local cheese farms, and if you go during the fall, a truffle hunting expedition.
3- The Scenery
The landscape of the Langhe, Roero and the Monferrato hills was granted UNESCO World Heritage Status in 2014. These vineyard landscapes, which encompass five wine-growing areas and the castle of Cavour, were deemed worthy of inclusion in the list due to their historical importance and beauty.
Not Convinced, Here's More
Piedmont is not as touristy as Tuscany. This means a more authentic experience for you, with less crowds. It's also easy to get to, only about an hour from the Milan airport. There are quaint towns and villages to visit, such as Barolo and the charming medieval town of Asti. In the city of Turin, you can taste a "bicerin", a traditional hot drink made with espresso, chocolate and milk, and then wander around the largest open air market in Europe, the Porta Palazzo Market.
Want To Go?
Roux Wine Tours is organizing a food and wine trip to Piedmont in September of 2016. To learn more about the trip, and download the itinerary, click here or use the button below.
