In Piemonte

The Noble Wines of Piemonte

The Noble Wines of Piemonte ...It is difficult to find the words to describe the poetry of Piemonte where imagination runs between the hills and the towns and where the vine is affectionate and dutiful. One only needs to be present during the period of the vendemmia (grape harvest) in September with the Moscato and Dolcetto grapes that continues through October with the Nebbiolo grapes to become mesmerized by a magic where the fatigue of intense labor transforms into a heightened emotion.

Producers such as Angelo Gaja, a true wine nobleman, famous throughout the world for his Barolo and Barbaresco wines refuses to settle for the top awards in the category of Piemonte reds, but pushes on to produce extraordinary whites.

With the guidance of a professional sommelier, discover the aristocratic wines of the region while visiting wineries that dot the magnificent Piemonte countryside covered with vineyards, hazelnut trees and pastures. Visits and wine tasting is scheduled at the Regional Enoteca of Piemonte housed in the castle of Count Camillo Benso di Cavour and at the Regional Enotecas of Barbaresco and Barolo.

The Wines and Cheeses of Piemonte

The Wines and Cheeses of Piemonte ...There are many cheeses in Piemonte and they play such an important role that practically every area has its own cheese. Usually a variety of toma, the list includes favorites such as gorgonzola (a mature green and blue-veined cheese), castelmagno (produced in the town of the same name with milk solely from the Val Grana), rabiola di Roccaverano (a soft, mild handmade cheese in a distinct cylindrical shape), battelmatt (a slightly bitter cheese), murazzano (a slightly aromatic cheese) and bra (a soft cheese from the area of Cuneo).

With an expert, learn to taste these fabulous cheeses and then with the help of a professional sommelier, match them to an extensive variety of Piemonte's fine wines; robust and elegant red wines and full aromatic white and dessert wines.

Piemonte's noble reds include Barolo, Barbaresco, Gattinara, Barbera, Dolcetto, Nebbiolo, Ghemme, Carema, Freisa, Grignolino and Bramaterra while the whites include Erbaluce, Roero Arneis, Gavi and Cortese. Dessert wines include Asti Spumante, Brachetto, Mascato d'Asti, Malvasia and Caluso Passito.

Piemonte, a Tradition of Fine Cuisine

Piemonte, A tradition of Fine Cuisine ...From the starters to the dessert, Piemonte's cuisine is known for its exquisite flavors and ancient recipes. Each province offers an array of specialties created with local produce that reflects the fruits of this fertile land.

Pasta, in all its many shapes and sizes is the real protagonist in most menus while agnolotti are usually served for special occasions. Rice is also a fundamental ingredient, but by far, the truffle is the star of this region's cuisine.

Taste some of Piemonte's most representative dishes including bagna caoda and fritto misto while at the same time savoring some of the area's most outstanding cheeses, the most well known being gorgonzola. Gourmet meals in Piemonte are not complete without its award-winning wines, carefully selected to accompany each dish.

The list of Piemonte's specialties is endless from grissini bread sticks to amaretti cookies and on to the famed gianduiotti chocolates made with the region's grand production of hazelnuts.

This eon-gastronomic experience includes gourmet meals, winery tour and visits to the various producers of these fine products.