Piedmont

Wine & Truffle to open the doors of a culinary paradise

Everyone should travel to Piemonte in the autumn. The mild climate, the bright colours of the nature, the deep red wine and the piquant truffle. The taste of autumn is the best here.

We have Monferrato, the upland territory which for centuries was the duchy of Piemonte. Era that has left its mark on the field whose medieval fortresses, castles and fortified villages that today represent interesting places to visit. After a day of historical experiences it's a pleasure to rest in some nice restaurant and enjoy excellent wines and fresh pasta with thin crispy biscuit of grated truffle. Within the Monferrato area is located Asti, whose name is familiar to many through the sparkling wine produced here.

But the Langhe area is perhaps the most famous one from a gastronomic point of view. From this are come many of Italy's best wines: Nebbiolo grapes for Barolo. Langhe is also the place where you find most white truffles in Italy and every year a large truffle auction is held in the town of Alba.

Two important lakes in Piemonte: Lago Maggiore and the small Lago d 'Orta. The first, whose real name is thought “il Verbano”, it’s Italy's second largest one after Garda Lake.
Lago d 'Orta is situated on the hills between Lago Maggiore and Valsesia. Far back in the 16th century the idyllic Lago d 'Orta was discovered, and since then it has been a very popular destination.
The isolated location between the hills has created a warmer microclimate than the rest of the Piemonte and palms, oleanders and cypresses come together around the lake. It is said that this is a place whose beauty has inspired both Nietzsche and Browning, two of the famous philosophers we had.

On the border with Switzerland we find Ossola valley. This quiet mountain area is a series of valleys. Anzasca, Bognanco and Vigezzo are some of these idylls, where unspoiled nature, authentic village life and restful pace contribute to tempt lots of visitors.

From this area you can reach even the Monte Rosa. This giant, whose ice walls can be seen right from the lowland regions can be reached via Macugnaga Anzasca valley or from Valsesia. Last but not least, Torino, Turin. Piemonte’s regional capital, cool and elegant is also one of the capitals in Italy that when it comes to gastronomy (not to mention chocolate) there is no competition!