Food and wine

Authentic experiences

A superb 4 night tour for up to 14 people accompanied by an experienced wine and food expert , discovering the land and the variety of the wines of Piemonte , including the renowned Barolo and Barbaresco .

About the region and the tour A tour of the Piemonte ( Piedmont ) region of north-west Italy , once part of the kingdom of Savoy and at the forefront of Italian unification in the mid 19th Century , is a fascinating and amazing journey into an attractive landscape that bursts with the distinctive flavours of its produce , from wine to hazelnuts , from chestnuts to truffles , from cheese to breadsticks . Whilst the food products merit a visit in their own right , it is the allure of the great wines of the region that attracts many and it is this that is the focus of our 4 night wine appreciation tour .

Barolo and Barbaresco , two of the most revered red wines in the world , hail from the heartland of this region , both produced from the ‘ Holy Grail ’ variety of Nebbiolo grape ( named after the morning mists that hover atmospherically over the vines here during harvest time ). In addition to these , there are other high quality wines to tempt your palate including Barbera , Dolcetto and Moscato . One of the most appealing and fascinating aspects of the wines of Piemonte is their variety and how this exists within a very small geographic area , with small , individual differences from how the producer decides to vinify , whether more traditional or modernist , the influence of the climate and soil when the vineyards are at slightly different altitudes and facing different directions .

Barbaresco Vineyards

The estates we visit in this tour will demonstrate how many factors contribute to the subtle difference in the wines , from multiple award winning , small boutique family-run wineries , through to one of Italy ’ s leading wine co-operatives . The tastings we include will show you a range of wines including some of the Reserve and Cru wines as well as the intriguing Barbera , the early ripening Dolcetto , considered less complex and easy drinking and Freisa and Grignolino . It is not only these classic red wines that are produced in Piemonte , but Arneis , a herby white with notes of almonds , the classic Gavi di Gavi , Timorasso with its peach and apricot notes , and of course the frothy Moscato d ’ Asti , a wine that actually smells of grapes but also elderflower and is the ideal wine to liven your palate at the end of a meal because of its fizz and naturally low alcohol levels .

Cascina Chicco Winery Oddero Winery

Quite rightly as befits any exploration of Piemonte , home to the Slow Food movement , we will also be introducing you to local produce with chocolate-tasting and a visit to a local cheese producer and providing you with Piemontese specialities at included lunches and dinners .

Your tour leader Cindy-Marie Harvey tells us that having discovered a love of Pinot Noir at an early age , she seemed destined for a life in the wine trade . However , her love of languages led her to work in Italy . After living in Piemonte for five years , discovering the delights of Nebbiolo and white truffles , she returned to the wine trade in the UK . She has spent the last 20 years planning and escorting wine tours to all the main wine regions of the world , from South America to Burgundy and Bordeaux . She now shares her passion for food and wine on her own website , Love Wine Food Ltd as well as in her own kitchen where she is often found surrounded by recipe books in Italian , French or Spanish . She looks forward to sharing her passion for the region of Piemonte with you .

Relais Villa d ' Amelia

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