La Dolce Vita Wine Tours

Xtreme Piedmont

Spotlight on Barolo, Barbaresco & Barbera

Slide Show:

Where Barolo wine began in the mid-1800s: The Castle of Barolo
The rolling Langhe hills, prime turf for the thoroughbred nebbiolo grape
A detail from Renato Ratti’s map of historic Barolo cru
Touring the cellars at Ceretto winery
Ceretto’s main winery is housed in the historic hunting lodge of King Carlo Albero
Comparing Barolo cru at Ceretto
The Brunate chapel, artwork commissioned by Ceretto, is now a local landmark
Our host Giacomo Conterno, one of the brothers at Aldo Conterno, gives a lesson in terroir
Alfredo Currado of Vietti, who pioneered planting Barbera in prized vineyard sites in Alba
Winemaker Vittore Alessandria pours at the boutique estate Fratelli Alessandria
The historic 18th century cellars at F.lli Alessandria, a traditionalist in Barolo
Chatting with Elio Altare, one of the most influential pioneers of Barolo in the 1970s
Altare’s wife and daughter provide warm hospitality and great anecdotes during our tasting
Elio Altare in La Morra is on the eastern ridge in the Barolo DOCG zone.
Monforte on the western ridge of Barolo makes a more tannic, structured style of Barolo
La Morra (pictured), Barolo, and Verduno produce more perfumed, elegant Barolos
XTREME PIEDMONT also includes a visit to Barbaresco
At the Produttori del Barbaresco, we compare their various cru and vintages
We also go towards Asti to visit Giacomo Bologna, aka Braida, who revolutionized Barbara
Another stop is the Wine Bank in Pollenzo, a Slow Food project.
We lunch on fresh ricotta, aged cheeses, and fresh salumi at an artisan cheese farm.
Some of Piedmont’s elegant desserts, including bonet, panna cotta, and semifreddo.