The first thing to know about Piemonte is that English is not spoken as frequently as in other Italian tourist destinations and that decent guidebooks don’t exist.
Difficult planning
For example, the 3 villages that make up Barbaresco have 2 restaurants listed in Trip Advisor; 1 Michelin* and another that wouldn’t make our top 100. There are a dozen or more! Websites are not always available but we know lots of excellent places to eat and drink and as important the ones to avoid.
We’re locals and know the region
It’s the same throughout the wine-growing region which is made up of dozens of beautiful hillside towns and villages overlooking the vineyards. Almost every historic small hillside town seems to have its own festival, castle, church, restaurants, cafes and most importantly wine . The whole area is a still undiscovered gastronomic paradise and we live here, know the people, and where to go.
The producers and cantinas
We regularly meet the producers, visit the cantinas and taste the wines so we can advise you on the best. These are working farms so not all have the pretty cellars one would like to imagine but a warm welcome is assured. They take a real pride in their wines which they love to share.
Where and what to eat
Piemonte, like every
region, has a cuisine all of its own with many dishes
unique to the area , but regular Italian favourites are
also available. Most places offer antipasti (starter),
primi (usually pasta), secondi(main course) and dolce
(desert) with or without a menu, fixed price or a la carte.
A simple 2 course lunch can be had for €10-15 with wine and
water, an 8 course dinner with no choice but excellent wine
@25-35. Michelin* restaurants are also here but perhaps
location is more important: outside terrace overlooking the
hills and vineyards, maybe a restaurant in a castle or a
cellar, a bustling pizzeria or trattoria, or simply
people-watching in cafe society. We’ll take you there.
Ethnic food is rare outside of the big cities although
Chinese and, incredibly, excellent Japanese can be
found.
Enotecas/wine bars
Not
surprisingly there are a group of local regional Enotecas
(wine shops) that promote and represent the local
producers. Prices are usually a €1 or 2 more a bottle than
at the cantina but they are good places to look around and
perhaps taste. The one in Barolo stocks almost 200 and has
limited tastings available. The one in Barbaresco offers 6
different wines a day for tasting at €1.50 a glass but none
of them offer advice or opinions; that’s our job. Wine
bars/cafes abound, some with extensive offerings and
sometimes quality wines by the glass. Nibbles are usually
free but beware tourists can be targets. Also don’t forget
that Italians really know how to make coffee and the ice
cream............
Shopping
In the
event that you want to shop for something other
than wine, Alba,
Asti, Bra, Cuneo, Turin, Milan are within easy reach.
Cheese, hazelnuts, chocolates, clothes, pasta, shoes and of
course truffles in season are top of the list. The regular
local markets held throughout the area can be fun. Tell us
what you are looking for and we’ll save you time
Non-wine sightseeing
Touring the vineyards and the
villages will introduce you to the most stunning scenery
and hidden amongst it a history and culture that dates back
to Roman times. Castles, churches, festivals, and much more
are here if you have time