A taste of Piedmont

Paradise for gastronomes and wine connoisseurs alike, Piedmont’s plate is packed with tantalising local ingredients: from crunchy hazelnuts, porcini mushrooms and tangy cheeses to the elusive white truffle; all washed down by some of the world’s finest vintages.

The Piedmontese are passionate about food and it’s easy to understand why! Eating here is a process that takes time – quality is the key component – and the “Slow Food” movement was founded here in answer to the fast food revolution. Meals are anything up to six courses long and are a sophisticated blend of fresh ingredients, utilising the wealth of flavours available locally: kiwi, apricots, peaches, hazelnuts all grow here and, surprisingly, Piedmont is Europe’s biggest rice producer.

But there are two stars of the Piedmontese table: white truffles and wine! From October onwards, the forests of Alba are alive with those in search of the Piedmont “diamond” – the white truffle. It is incredibly expensive, but is widely available, grated sparingly over pasta, risotto and tender beef dishes.

The Langhe’s rolling vine-clad hills, near Alba, are home to such acclaimed wines as Barolo, Barbera, Nebbiolo and Barbaresco. Aged over time in oak casks, they can be very expensive, especially Barolo. Equally satisfying but less pricey is Dolcetto d’Alba, best drunk young and lightly chilled.

Infamous Asti Spumante hails from this region too, as does the gorgeously sweet Moscato d’Asti, its grapes cultivated in the hills around Castiglione Tinella. Try it with a slice of hazelnut cake – recipe below – for an authentic taste of Piedmont. Salute!

Alternatively, why not sample the wonderful flavours of the Piedmont region on one of our holidays in Piedmont?