Piedimont
Piedmont is one of the better-known wine producing regions in Italy--and some believe that the area yields the highest quality wines in the entire country. The best vine-growing locations in the region are the Langhe and Monferrato hills, followed by the foothills of the mountains. The wines produced in Piedmont include fabulous wines such as Barolo, Barbaresco, Barbera, Dolcetto, Asti Spumante, Gattinara and Ghemme, and many other DOC and DOCG labels.
Wine Trail -From north to south
* In Gattinara, Enoteca Regionale at Corso Valsesia 112 (tel. 0163834070) sells the wines of northern Piedmont, and Antoniolo at Corso Valsesia 277 (tel. 0163833612) makes both Gattinara and Erbaluce wines.
* Vigneti Massa (tel. 013180302) in Monleale produces Monleale, Bigolla and two Barberas.
* Cascina Castlet at Strada Castelletto 6 (tel. 0141966651) in Costigliole d'Asti grows Barbera and Moscato grapes and hosts winemaking workshops for small groups.
* Bottega del Vino (tel. 0141979126) in Castellinaldo has wine tastings and sales, as well as nights devoted to different themes and promotional events.
* In Barbaresco, visit Tenute Cisa Asinari dei Marchesi di Gresy at Via Rabaja 43 (tel. 0173635222).
* Barolo's main wineries are Marchesi di Barolo at Via Alba 12 (tel. 0173564400) and Fratelli Borgogno at Via Crosia 12 (tel. 017356107).
* Acqui Terme's Enoteca Regionale del Brachetto (tel. 0144321873) has more than 500 labels and hosts a free guided wine tasting from April to October.
* Castellari Bergaglio at Franzione Rovereto 136 (tel. 0143644000) in Gavi has been growing Cortese grapes for four generations.
* In Alfiano Natta, visit the Fattorie Augustus (tel. 0141922426), which ages Barbera d'Asti wine in oak barrels.
Festivals and Culinary Events
* March: Castelletto d'Orba-Wine Show of the Alto Monferrato
* April: Agliano-Festa dell'Ospitalita, where the locals offer their homes to tourist and serve Piedmontese meals; Castagnole delle Lanze-Barbera Fair
* May: Castellinaldo-Not Just Arneis, May 1; Dogliani-Dolcetto Fair
* June: Sizzano-Sizzano DOC Fair
* July: Monteu Roero-Fair of Reoero Arneis
* September: Asti-Festival Delle Sagre; Barolo-Barolo Fair