Piedmont

( in Italian Piemonte means - at the foot of the hills)

Piemonte occupies an area bordering on France and Switzerland and is one of the 20 regions that make up Italy.
This part of Italy is largely unspoilt by tourism The area itself has a diverse landscape of mountain, rolling hills and plains.

The Alps take up the majority of the region reaching up to the heights of Monte Rosa, (4,633m) and Monviso (the source of the Po) making it a popular destination for hiking and winter sports.
The lowlands are a fertile agricultural region producing wheat, maize and Europe’s largest rice crop.

The famous wine growing areas produce wines such as Barbera, Barbaresco, Barolo, and Dolcetto, Moscato d’asti and Asti spumant,

The region is also celebrated for Vermouth, Grappa, cheeses such as Gorgonzola, Bra and Toma Piemontese, biscuits and chocolate

Piemonte is divide into 8 provinces, one of which, Cuneo holds the heart of the famous wine industry

The Langhe
Langa is a wonderfully unspoilt region to the south of its capital, Alba, with rolling hills, vineyards and winding roads.
The region has used the black Nebbiolo grape to produce wine since Roman times

Alba
This is the principal town and the epicurean heart of the Langa.
Each October Alba is transformed into the world truffle market 'Fiera del Tartufo' visited by tourists from all over the world.

The famous white truffles found in this area range in size up to an white tuber magnatum pico of 1.5kg found Nov 2007 and sold at auction for £160 000.
White truffles are more delicate and aromatic than the more common black version and highly prized.

Alba’s wine festival (Vinum) takes place during the end of April when the town is host to hundreds of wine makers who come to show their produce.
Alba is also renowned for it’s peaches. Farraro Roche are the one of the main employers in this area.

La Morra
A medieval town located high on an imposing promontory with the Po valley on one side, and the rolling hills of the Langa on the other.
It’s panoramic views look over a wealth of the vineyards that make up to 1/3 of the total Barolo production.
The grapes of this area are held in such high regard that history has it that anyone caught cutting down a Nebbiolo vine would be fined, imprisoned or even have their hand removed for such a crime

Barbaresco
A commune in the heart of the Langa area on the banks of the river Tanaro.
The town has a 36m tower at its highest point whose origins can be traced back to 12th Century.
The vineyards around the town of Barbaresco are responsible for 45% of the region's Barbaresco production with many of thearea's largest wineries located in town. Wines from this area tend to be relatively light in color and body but very well structured and aromatic.

Barolo
Located in the heart of the village is its castle. Originally built in the 10th century, it has been greatly altered through the years by various owners. Between the 13th and 19th century it was owned by the Marquises Falletti family who spent endless amounts of money to make Barolo an exceptional wine.

Serralunga d’Alba
A commune 60 km south east of Turin crowned by a beautiful castle.