Piemonte, or Piedmont, means “at the foot of the mountain”. This region, the second largest in Italy, is surrounded on 3 sides by the Alps. (Sicily is the biggest)
We recently spent a few days in the gorgeous Langhe region of Piemonte, best known for wine and truffles…we planned to try both.
Our first stop in Piemonte was Novello, where we were to stay for 3 nights. After we settled into our Chalet we set off to discover the village. There is a lookout on the edge of town offering sweeping views over the surrounding vineyard covered hills. The damp weather actually enhanced the gorgeous vista.
There is a castle, now a hotel.
There is a great enoteca in Via Giordano where we enjoyed aperitivo.
We had a excellent dinner at Barbabuc Ristorante at 35 Via Giordano in Novello. http://www.ristorantebarbabuc.it
On our second morning the rain mist had stopped and we could see the Alps from Novello.
Nearby Barolo is stunning from a distance.
Barolo castle is impressive.
More stunning views from and around Barolo.
Serralunga d’Alba has a huge castle dating from 1340.
…more gorgeous views.
We tasted local wine in this very cute establishment.
In Neive we had a delicious lunch at La Luna nel Pozzo, where we were looked after by the charming Cesere.
Rain cut our exploring short.
We did visit a very special winery, Cantina del Glicine…another post.
Did you know there was a town called Mango in Piemonte? It has nothing to do with my favourite tropical fruit, but it does have a castle.
Everything was closed in town, so I have nothing else to show you except the gorgeous views between Neive and Mango.
La Morra is one of the loveliest towns in the area.
Piazza Castello at the top of the town has spectacular views of the surrounding villages. Helpful directions are built into the floor of the piazza.
We tasted wine and had lunch at Vineria San Giorgio at 1 Via Umberto.
In Barbaresco we tasted wine in 2 great places. The first was Produttori del Barbaresco in Via Torino.
The second one was in a church, L’Enoteca Regional del Barbaresco.
…more gorgeous scenery around Barbaresco.
We found a great restaurant tucked away in a back street in Monforte d’Alba, Osteria La Salita.http://www.lasalita.it
Prunotto winery is in Bussia. Don’t go, as we did, to the office close to Alba. http://www.prunotto.it It was not easy to find even with GPS help, but worth the effort.
In Castiglione Falletto we found (with some difficulty) Vietti, a stunning winery right in the heart of the village. The winery is built into the side of a hill and some of its walls were part of the early fortifications. They have done an amazing job creating a modern winery in an old setting. I will show you more in the next post.
We stayed at Chalet nelle Vigne in Novello.
chaletnellevigne@gmail.com
It was in a great location, close to everything we wanted to see. It has 2 bedrooms, a comfortable living room, small kitchen and good bathroom…an excellent base from which to explore the region.
An almost sunny day offered a different impression of the scenery. I enjoyed the misty views just as much.
Plan to stay a while in this spectacular area in Piemonte, there is much to see and taste.
We were able to enjoy very similar places in Langhe region, just over 3 weeks ago! We were there at the end of the Vendemmia, and stayed in Lla Morra, also an excellent base to reach many of the places you’ve mentioned, and others. It is a stunning area, and a fabulous holiday to enjoy the famous Barolo wines and the white truffles. We were in Alba also for the truffle Festa,
Best time of the year, and I agree that the misty views are just as atmospheric.
By: Anne Of Todi on November 7, 2019
at 7:19 am
It is a gorgeous area. We have been a couple of times to the Slow Food event in Torino and been to the truffle festival in Alba. It was where I first saw flag throwing and was entranced.
La Morra is lovely. I would find it difficult to choose just one town here, they are all beautiful.
We sampled lots of wine. My son is a winemaker, so he was very interested in talking to people in the industry.
By: Debra Kolkka on November 7, 2019
at 7:23 am
Thank you for giving me a Virtual tour!
By: Sue on November 7, 2019
at 9:46 am
I hope you visit in person one day.
By: Debra Kolkka on November 8, 2019
at 4:47 am
Yes, I hope so
By: Sue on November 8, 2019
at 8:00 pm
Oh my goodness! Such beautiful photos. Especially of all of that food 😬
By: chef mimi on November 7, 2019
at 4:30 pm
The food is excellent in Piemonte.
By: Debra Kolkka on November 8, 2019
at 4:47 am
Well worth a visit. September is spectacular!
By: carol on November 8, 2019
at 4:55 pm
I would love to visit there one day. I haven’t seen nearly enough of Italy yet!
By: Lorraine @ Not Quite Nigella on November 10, 2019
at 9:35 am
There is much to see! I have been spending 6 months a year here for 16 years and I have just scratched the surface.
By: Debra Kolkka on November 11, 2019
at 11:18 am
Oh, fabulous! Piemonte is (and has been) on my “short list” for too long. Love your photos and insights…grazie!
By: PostcardZ from Victoria on November 11, 2019
at 6:39 pm
It is a gorgeous area, the prettiest wine district I have visited.
By: Debra Kolkka on November 11, 2019
at 8:18 pm
Oh Deb, what a beautiful region of Italy. We really enjoyed seeing your photos and reading about the wines and food. Thanks.
By: Kerry & Jim on November 15, 2019
at 8:32 am
[…] autumn last year I visited Bergamo Alta and the winemaking areas of Franciacorta, and Langhe. It would be fun to go back in spring to see these gorgeous places in a different […]
By: Where to go in 2020? | Bagni di Lucca and Beyond on January 30, 2020
at 8:53 pm