In the picturesque town of Alba, in Italy’s northwestern Piedmont region, there are few more enticing destinations when it comes to wine tasting. Piedmont is known world-wide for its rare white truffles, velvety red Barolo and Barbaresco wines and delicious fruit. Settled in pre-Roman times by Celtic and Ligurian tribes, Alba has many signs of Rome’s intervention in its city gates and slabs of marble used on later buildings. The town is sprinkled with lovely castles, medieval palaces and towers, and many churches.
Just outside town, you will find the mythical hamlets of Barlolo, Barbaesco and La Morra, which are a must for wine lovers. Another interesting quality of the region is that to the west of Alba, in the town of Pollenzo, is where the ‘Slow Food’ headquarters are located. The Slow Food Movement believes in recognizing the importance of pleasure connected to food as well as the respect for vast range of recipes and flavors, the rhythms of the seasons, and recognize the variety of places and people growing and producing food. Where ever you decide to explore in and around Alba you can be sure that the landscape will blow you away. Rolling vineyards and small family estates characterize this gorgeous winemaking region.
Alba is the center for the famous wines of Piedmont’s Langhe region. The Barolo DOCG, Barbaresco DOCG, Barbera DOC, Dolcetto DOC, Verduno DOC, and Nebbiolo d’Alba DOC are all situated just beyond the town’s borders. Southern-facing hilltops where vines dig deep into the soils are where the best red wines are produced in the area. A few wineries (such as Fontanafredda) are open to the general public, while most require a special appointment to visit.
Here are some incredible wineries worth trying while exploring the Alba area:
Angelo Gaja
Pio Cesare
Roagna
Ceretto
Bruno Rocca
Massolino
Aldo Conterno
Cordero di Montezemolo