PIEDMONT
Piedmont’s classic lifestyle is preserved in the villages of Monferrato, the Barbera hills, and of the Langhe hills, where the Nebbiolo wines family gives the best of its traditional, aristocratic flavours. But Piedmont’s peak quality products are rather linked with Torino, the city of the automotive industry and the old kingdom’s capital. For centuriess, the Savoy kings and their refined court, made Piedmont the leading Italian state, and the first responsible for the unification of the country. Barolo, Truffles, Martini and Cinzano vermouth, the great chocolates of Caffarel and other world known producers, all come from here.
The more elitist wines, Barolo and Barbaresco, are what Piedmont is actually known for, they come, like the truffles, from the hills south of Alba.
The names od the villages and terroirs, Castiglion Falletto, Cannubi, La Morra, Vigna Rionda, Serralunga, have a kind of magic sound for the wine lover, and evoke as many fine, distinct winemaking styles.

Late fall is when with the great Truffles fair and world market are held in Alba. Special period to visit, but the hotels are booked one year in advance.
Our tours, hence, can’t avoid focusing on the Alba wines, we like to lodge in one of the quiet, smaller towns, and everyday visit two wineries among our favourites, or three. We will also be happy to take tasting other Piedmont treasures: the Barberas surprisingly mellow and balanced, the young and refreshing Arneis, Freisa and Grignolino, the Dolcetto, not a sweet wine at all, sometimes challenging the Barolo itself for their power and complexity.
Besides the wine country we propose a visit to the elegant center of Turin, to its historical chocolate shops, and then possibly a day or two to the east to discover the lesser known Carema wines and the Ghemme of the the Lago Maggiore, or to allow a little excursion “abroad” in Lombardy to try the Franciacorta red and Spumante. Or, as a more Mediterranead alternative, we can drive south, instead, cross the Apennine and reach the seaside, to enjoy the whites, the seafood, and the beauties of the Ligurian Riviera at the Cinqueterre, or in Portofino.

Our favourite wineries:
Altare, Brezza, Castello di Verduno, Conterno, Elio Grasso, Leporati, Mascarello, Oddero, Voerzio.