La Dolce Vita Wine Tours

Xtreme Piedmont

A gourmet wine tour spotlighting Barolo, Barbaresco & Barbera

Slide Show:

Welcome to the Langhe hills, home to Barolo & Barbaresco.
The Castle of Barolo, where it all began
Day 1 begins with a bit of Barolo history. Here, 150-year-old barrels at Barolo’s birthplace
Our first dinner is in the private dining room of the Marchesi di Barolo
Throughout the week, you’ll eat very well.
Cerequio, Liste, Cannubi… You’ll be able to do comparative tastings of Barolo cru.
You’ll discover how La Morra, Barolo, and Verduno produce more perfumed, elegant Barolos...
...while the village of Monforte makes more tannic, structured Barolos
Detail of the historic cru map: all southern slopes where the snow melts first.
A cellar tour at Ceretto, winemakers since the 1920s
Fit for a king: Once King Carlo Alberto's hunting lodge; now headquarters of Ceretto
Comparing cru
We visit the Brunate Chapel, a local landmark
King Carlo Alberto’s vineyards in Verduno are now owned by Fratelli Alessandria
Winemaker Vittore Alessandria pours some rare Pelaverga, made only in Verduno
XTREME PIEDMONT spotlights marquee names, such as Elio Altare.
Altare’s wife and daughter provide warm hospitality and great anecdotes
A group poses with mamma Altare and guide Claudio Bisio (center)
Giacomo Conterno, of Aldo Conterno winery, gives a lesson in terroir
Francesco Grasso, of Silvio Grasso, talks about Turné, his Barolo made in an antique style
Pinpointing the cru of Paolo Scavino
Cheers! Tasting the good stuff at Vietti
We had the chance to chat with Vietti’s Alfredo Currado before his passing (RIP).
Dinner might feature freshly made tajarin with butter and sage sauce. Mmm mmm good!
Day 3 takes us to cheese country in the upper Langhe.
We visit a Murrazzano cheese farm for a tour and lunch.
Enrica, the cheesemaker
Saying “cheese!” And “more, please!”
Decadent and oh so delicious
On Day 4, we head to Barbaresco for a crash-course in this elegant, aromatic wine.
Reserve cru from the Produttori del Barbaresco—a benchmark of classic style
Daniela Rocca, granddaughter of founder Albino Rocca, walks us through their Barbaresco line-up
Day 5 spotlights the other “B” wine—Barbera—with a visit to Braida/Giacomo Bologna.
XTREME PIEDMONT also includes a visit to Pollenzo. Constructed by King Carlo Alberto, it’s now a school for chefs and a Wine Bank.
Inside the Wine Bank, a project of Slow Food International
Yes, please! Dinner at the restaurant of wine producer Marco Ascheri.
Spring poppies in the vineyards bid us addio!