Piemonte is most famous for it's Barolo and Barbaresco, which are made from the Nebbiolo grape. Not to be ignored though, are the excellent value wines from the more humble Barbera under several DOCs: Barbera d'Asti, d'Alba, Monferrato, Collio Tortonesi and Piemonte. Barolos are very long-aging wines that can command some of the highest prices in Italy, and Barbarescos are a delicious if somewhat lighter-styled wine from the same grape. Don't overlook the humble Barbera grape, however, which in recent years has been producing better and better wines under the Barbera d'Alba appellation, and represents a fantastic value and very drinkable wine - often much better suited to certain foods than the heaviest Barolos.
Angelo Gaja is probably the best known producer here, but there are many other great family names of winemakers tucked amongst the hills south of Alba. We have our favorites of course... people who not only make great wine, but love to share it with their friends from afar.
One of the most exciting times to visit is during the height of the truffle season in the fall. Alba hosts an ongoing truffle market every weekend from mid-October, and besides the chance to witness the bidding on some outrageously expensive fungi, we'll take you out with a truffle hunter and his dog to experience the thrill of finding them. There's no shortage of opportunities to taste these delicious tubers with wonderful local food, as the villages literally reek of truffles as restaurateurs put bowls of them out to entice hungry passers-by!
We're happy to set up a custom itinerary for your Piemonte wine experience, or you can join one of our small group tours, hosted by Peter Smith or one of his hand-picked local guides.
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