We loved Piedmonte....it is unpretentious and unbelievably beautiful. We had great meals, fantastic wine, and warm greetings everywhere. It was our favorite part of our week long vacation throughout Italy and a place we've marked for a future return. If I could go back next week, I would repeat exactly what we did and would not change a single thing. As someone that easily bores of a city, that is certainly saying a lot.
In no order, here are our favorite Top Ten moments.
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| All of Alba is gorgeous. This was a random photo we took from the side of the road....I've got a lot of these beautiful scenic shots and truly the photo doesn't do the view justice. The hillside is actually listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site. |
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| Drinking with Paola Manzone, the wine maker. He is charming, extremely knowledgeable, and generous with his knowledge and wine. This was truly a memory of a lifetime. |
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| Lunch at Sunsi Bar at Boscareto resort. Sitting outside and looking at this view while enjoying homemade pasta. |
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| Drinking with the wine maker who was incredibly busy, but still made time for us and gave us a quick tour of his cellar and then opened up 7 bottles (didn't photograph the last two unfortunately) |
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| The view is worth another mention. This was the walk around the agriturismo where we stayed (and highly recommend Casa Meriame - wonderful base to explore Barolo wine country) |
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| Three Michelin stars and amazing. Dining room only accommodates 20 people and after our meal, they showed us the kitchen. I was amazed to see 30 hard working chefs making the meal we just completed. Wow. |
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| Delicious meal at Ristorante Rabaya where we enjoyed all of our courses (pasta in butter sage and baked fish paired with a local wine) |
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| Another afternoon with the wine maker at Ca Del Baio. The rich pours and hospitality made the experience unpretentious and relaxing. Unlike Napa Valley, there was absolutely no pomp or circumstance in any of our tastings. |
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Vinoteca Centro Storico
Homemade pasta, wide wine selection featuring many local wines, and great charcuterie....yummmm |
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| Casa Meriame where we stayed. They opened an on-site restaurant on my actual birthday and we were special invited guests to the grand opening. They flew in a charcuterie expert who personally selects and butchers beef for the surrounding Michelin star restaurants. He brought his own personally cured meats and braised an amazing beef shoulder. Another special guest was a neighboring wine maker who brought a number of dessert wines and that night, we tasted over 30 wines and hung out with the owners and others until 2AM. A night I will never forget. |