Piedmont Tour 2012 – Everything Alba, Barolo & More!

We had a fantastic visit to the town of Alba, one of the very well known regions in Piedmont that produces known wine grapes like Barbera, Dolcetto & Nebbiolo.  Alba, known for its towers that nobility once used for protection and living quarters, is a vibrant place that really comes alive during market day!  We were fortunate to visit the town during this time, and it was a culinary dream with vendors lining the streets with giant fresh porcini mushrooms, cheeses of all kinds including regional gorgonzola dolci, pastas including the agnolotti, a small squared shaped pasta that is pinched on all sides (it's also called 'plin', or 'pinch').   We had a great time wandering through, taking in all the sights and sounds that make up this special place.  Later we headed to a winery for a thoroughly professional tasting with the owner of Bricco Mailoica.  This winery produces 8,000 cases a year, is 100% estate grown and was paid a visit by Prince Charles 8 years ago!  The owner was kind enough to take time and visit on a Sunday, giving us a tour of his vineyard, followed by a fully comprehensive tasting.  Top-down, these wines are stunning... all of the typical Alba grapes were planted, and in addition we sampled a Sauvignon Blanc/Chardonnay blend, barrel fermented, Montrachet-style Chardonnay (the 2008 we tasted is still a baby), and a Pinot Noir that will some day really turn heads.  This tasting left the group wanting more... I believe it was one of the best tastings I've experienced.  Look for these bottles in the shop soon!   We then had a chance to experience Tenuta Tamburnin on Monday, a winery in the Asti region and purchased/renovated by a family dedicated to quality.  Again, the wines were impressive and unique - especially noteworthy was a Methodo Classico Brut Sparkling wine, a Barbera Superiore and a Malvasia dessert wine done in a passito style.  Earlier we received a tour of the property, followed by a wild ride on a tractor that pulled us in a cart up some very steep vineyard inclines... all driven by the property owner!!!  It was fun and there's a video to prove it!  (Darcy, you almost went over the side but we managed to pull you out of it!)  The owner then went from farmer to chef, helping to prepare and serve our 6 course lunch.  He was full of pride, and I believe a bit sad to see us go... it was a wonderful 'family' experience from a winery producing less than 4,000 cases/year... and one of the main reasons we love going to Italy and spending time with the boutique properties.  On Tuesday, we set out for Barolo... a name synonymous with Cru grade Nebbiolo and world famous for the quality of the wines.  A must visit for any wine lover, Barolo is small, unassuming and sits perched atop a hill with a small castle.  We toured through the Museo di Vini (museum of wine), a very well done contemporary-style museum with fascinating tidbits about the history of wine, and specifically Barolo.  This was followed by a stroll through town, and a very good "winemakers lunch" with the owner from Scarzello winery, a Barolo producer.  We tasted his Barbera, Rosso and Barolo, and the pairings included a ravioli with whole egg, rabbit, wild boar, carpaccio in a mustard sauce, pate and more.  Another 6 course lunch in the books!  The owner then gave us a tour of his vineyard..... incredible.  To be standing in the famous vineyards of Barolo, next to places like Brunate and Borgogno, and just a few steps from one of Gaja's holdings, is truly overwhelming.  I felt a real sense of place standing in the vineyards of Barolo and it will be a special memory cherished for a lifetime.  Our departure back to Ca'Sebastiano allowed some tour goers to enjoy spa treatments like massage, wine bath and more.  A 1 hour massage after visiting Barolo, eating lunch and walking through the vineyards could only be topped by a 4 course wine dinner paired with... what else?  Four different single vineyard Barolos, all from the same producer, Cascina Adelaide.  But before dinner, we met the owner of this property and he poured us two of his wines... his pride and enthusiasm emerged... it was fun to see his passion, as he explained with a wry twist about his wines, his family and the history of the place.  A magical ending to a special day... tomorrow we check out of Ca'Sebastiano, and I can't help but feel the special warmth and hospitality here.  We will definitely be coming back!  Onward to Verona...

Alba, Barolo, Asti & More!