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Every slope has a vineyard and every town an ancient tower in Piedmont's Barolo zone. |
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The Castle of Barolo is the dominant feature in this petite wine town (pop. 681). |
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The logo of the Marchesi di Barolo, lords of the eponymous town, who "invented" Barolo wine in the 19th century. |
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The 150-year-old barrels where the original Barolo was aged in the cellar of the Marchesi's palace. |
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A private lunch at the Marchesi di Barolo winery, spotlighting their wines alongside risotto di Barolo. |
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Renato Ratti's new winery uses the latest in green architecture, such as the grass roof over the tasting room. |
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A happy guest with Massimo Martinelli (left), co-owner and enologist at Renato Ratti. |
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Giacomo Conterno is one of three sons running the esteemed Aldo Conterno winery, a classicist in Barolo wine production. |
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Giacomo explains the fine details of the big barrels, or "botte", used for aging classic-style Barolo. |
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An artisan cheese farm in the Alte Langhe is our destination for lunch. |
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A banquet of fresh mountain cheeses, homemade sausage, fruit, bread and dolcetto wine. |
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A view from the cheese farm looking towards the ever-so-majestic Alps. |
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Orlando Pecchinino, co-owner of the Pecchinino winery, led the drive towards Dolcetto di Dogliani gaining DOCG status. |
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The winery of Elio Altare, a key innovator and mentor in modern-style Barolo. |
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Elio Altare's daughter Silvia guides us through their wines, which are among the most sought-after in Piedmont. |
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Line 'em up! An orgasmic sight for Barolo lovers at the Elio Altare estate. |
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Marco Dotta is in charge of the vineyards at Marchesi di Gresy, a great name in Barbaresco wine. |
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Ready for an intensive lesson on Barbaresco at the Marchesi di Gresy. |
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A special surprise treat: a 1986 Gaiun Barbaresco cru from the Marchesi di Gresy. |
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Mmm-mmm! Lunch features fragrant truffles shaved over eggs and asparagus, paired with Barbaresco. |
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Dante Scaglione, the winemaker at Bruno Giacosa, reads atmospheric pressure inside a bottle of Brut. |
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A tasting treat: Bruno Giacosa's Barolos and Barbarescos, legendary among enophiles. |
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The enologist at Bruno Giacosa checks the nose on a Barolo. |
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The former hunting lodge of Piedmont's King Carlo Alberto is now a gastronomic complex that houses the Wine Bank. |
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The king's cellars are now filled with wines from around Italy, aging to perfection before release, at La Banca del Vino. |
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Enjoying a tour of La Banca del Vino with a glass of vino in hand. |
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Barbera's Cinderella story began in this estate, Giacomo Bologna / Braida. |
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Giacomo Bologna was the first to age Barbera in oak barrels and treat the workhorse grape with TLC. |
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Love at first taste: Brachetto d'Acqui, a sweet, frizzante red dessert wine, that pairs beautifully with chocolate. |
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A group from the Society of Wine Educators outside the Ceretto winery. |
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The Ceretto winery occupies another hunting lodge of King Carlo Alberto. Here we see the ancient wine cellars. |
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Along with the old is the new, such as this plasma-screen slide show at Ceretto. |
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Whew! A line-up of Arneis, a Super Piedmont, two Barolo cru, grappa, and... |
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...and a lovely Barolo Chinato, an aromatized wine infused with spices, roots, and herbs. |
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A breath of fresh air amid the spring-time poppies. |
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A trattoria owner serves homemade egg pasta with ragù sauce. In Piedmont, the cuisine is superb at all times of the day. |
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The new barrel-aging room at Vietti, equally famous for its Barolo and its Barbera cru. |
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Alfredo Currado, the patriarch at Vietti, enjoys mingling with guests as they sample his wines, all top-rated. |
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We approve, Mr. Currado! |
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Sandrone, one of the top names in Barolo. |
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Cannubi Boschis, one of the best vineyard plots for Barolo wine, has been cultivated by Sandrone since the 1970's. |
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Luciano Sandrone (standing, left) provides insight into his winemaking philosophy. |
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Luciano Sandrone and Claudio Bisio get happy. |
