The territory
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Hilly expanses as far as the eye can see, ancient villages and perched castles, a succession of gentle slopes planted with vines whose rows draw rigorous geometries: these are the magnificent scenery of the Langhe, Roero and Monferrato, which has become a World Heritage Site. This territory between the provinces of Cuneo, Asti and Alessandria, and is a set of different environments where man and nature have been going to interact harmoniously for centuries. UNESCO decreed it in 2014: the wine-growing landscapes of Langhe, Monferrato and Roero are worthy of World Heritage recognition. Six specific areas, in 29 different municipalities, have been awarded for their history and the unbreakable bond between man and landscape; and it is from here that one can start to discover a richness that goes beyond the borders of Piedmont and becomes of global importance. Stunning places that UNESCO describes as “An outstanding living testimony to the historical tradition of grape growing, winemaking processes, and a social, rural context and economic fabric based on wine culture.” “The vineyards of Langhe, Roero and Monferrato,” reads the official motivation for the inscription, “constitute an outstanding example of man’s interaction with his natural environment. Here are the six zones, each carrying its own specificity:
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The Langa del Barolo (municipalities of Barolo, Serralunga d’Alba, Castiglione Falletto, La Morra, Monforte d’Alba, Novello, and Diano d’Alba) enhances perhaps the most famous product of the Langhe :Barolo, which is rightfully called “The King of Wines and the Wine of Kings.” A visit to Barolo Castle to learn more is a must.
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Grinzane Cavour Castle, in the town of the same name, is home to the Piedmontese Regional Enoteca, among other things.
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The hills of Barbaresco (municipalities of Barbaresco, Neive and Treiso), where Nebbiolo grapes are grown and Barbaresco, Barbera, Dolcetto and Nebbiolo are produced.
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Nizza Monferrato and Barbera (Municipalities of Nizza Monferrato Agliano Terme, Moasca, S. Marzano Oliveto, Mombaruzzo, Castelnuovo Calcea, Vinchio, Vaglio Serra).
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Canelli and Asti spumante (Municipalities of Canelli, Santo Stefano Belbo, Calosso); in Canelli visit the underground cathedrals of historic sparkling wine production cellars.
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The Monferrato of the Infernot (Municipalities of Vignale Monferrato, Montemagno, Cella Monte, Ozzano Monferrato, Sala Monferrato, Rosignano Monferrato, Ottiglio, Olivola, Frassinello Monferrato, and Camagna Monferrato): infernots are underground rooms, dug into sandstone or tuff, used for domestic bottle storage.
Discover specifically the territories of Langhe and Monferrato
The Langhe region stretches between the provinces of Cuneo and Asti and is world-renowned especially for its prestigious wine production, excellent food and wine, and renowned white truffles, excellences that attract increasing streams of visitors, both from Italy and abroad. Some of the world’s finest wines are produced here, including Barolo, Barbaresco il Barbera, Nebbiolo, Moscato and Dolcetto. Among the most renowned villages is Barolo, which is nestled among the vineyards. In addition to wine, the village’s defining element is the castle of the Marchesi Falletti di Barolo, where there is the Wine Museum. A stone’s throw from the castle is the Corkscrew Museum. Barolo, in addition to being renowned for its food and wine characteristics, has also become very famous artistically. For several years it has been home to the important Collisioni Agri- Rock festival that has hosted famous international singers such as Elton john, Patty Smith, Bob Dylan, Jamiroquay , Neil Young, Deep Purple, Sting, Mark Knopfler and many others….. Among the villages to visit are definitely Monforte D’Alba and Neive both of which have joined the list of Italy’s Most Beautiful Villages Monforte d’Alba is a small, magnificent, commune situated in a dominant position with a beautiful view of the Alps and is part of the 11 Barolo-producing communes. In the historic core of Monforte, a natural amphitheater with perfect acoustics created from the natural morphological slope of the land was inaugurated in 1986 by the famous pianist Mieczysław Horszowski. The natural amphitheater is stepped, and features a stage formed by a boundary wall and the portal to the Scarampi gardens. Since 1986 it has been the site of major concerts held by such illustrious artists as Paolo Conte, Massimo Ranieri, Jerry Mulligan, Vinicio Capossela and many others, and for the past few years has been home to the national Jazz music festival named Monfortinjazz. Among the hills of vineyards around Neive are the marked and equipped Dolcetto and Barbaresco trails, to be traveled on foot, by bicycle and on horseback. That Neive is part of the circuit of the “Most Beautiful Villages in Italy” may come as no surprise: just admire the medieval layout of the historic center, with its characteristic red-roofed houses overlooking the alleys, leaning against each other. Then, here rise other ancient vestiges of the past: the Clock Tower, the last vestige of the ancient castle, the baroque Archconfraternity of St. Michael with its precious wooden portal, the Cotto House with its fine 13th-century ceilings and fireplaces. Outside the town, then, along the Tinella stream, on the road to Mango, an artistic Romanesque bell tower rises among the countryside to announce the striking Church of Santa Maria del Piano. Obviously not to be outdone are the towns of Alba, home of the white truffle, rich in historical monuments to visit, or La Morra, a small village from whose belvedere you can admire the Langhe landscape, and again Dogliani, home of Dolcetto, and many others. In turn, the Langhe can be divided into two areas with different landscape characteristics:
- The Bassa Langa, to the north and west, which is characterized by a landscape and cultivation of mainly viticultural crops
- the Alta Langa, consisting of the Belbo and Bormida Valleys to the south and east, characterized mainly by hazelnut groves, forests and pastures. Here the landscape is more natural and preferred by lovers of Nature and peace. Recently, vineyards are also appearing in the Alta Langa area, planted to produce a fine sparkling wine (Alta Langa) that has little to envy of Champagne. The most representative municipalities of Alta Langa are Bossolasco, Murazzano, Cortemilia, Niella Belbo, Bergolo and many more.
A landscape of rolling hills with charming villages and small settlements dominated by castles. Asti is a town worth a visit; the historic center reflects the medieval structure. Wine and truffles are also celebrated in Asti, but the must-see event is the palio, which takes place in September. Asti has many fascinating monuments, including the collegiate church of San Secondo, the grandiose terracotta cathedral, the medieval complex of the Rotonda di San Pietro, and the sumptuous Palazzo Mazzetti, home to the Museo Civico. Casale Monferrato, capital of the lower Monferrato, has the Po River on its side, which laps the city’s historic center, offering beautiful views. But also the unusually structured cathedral; the Paleologi castle; and the Bistolfi plaster gallery, with works by the local artist. In the hills surrounding Casale, we find Vignale Monferrato: you can visit the ancient manor house that now houses an important wine shop. Basso Monferrato also boasts one of the most beautiful castles in Italy, that of Camino Also worth mentioning is the castle of Uviglie near Rosignano Monferrato, from the top of which you can admire one of the most beautiful views in Piedmont. Of ancient origin, it has become a winery and has been able to revive the cultivation of fine DOC grape varieties such as Barbera del Monferrato, Grignolino del Monferrato Casalese, Monferrato Freisa and Piemonte Chardonnay. Straddling Piedmont and Liguria, it begins the Alto Monferrato, characterized by three areas: the Acquese, home to the capital of this section of Monferrato, Acqui indeed, land of Moscato and Brachetto with numerous archaeological sites of Roman origin to visit; the Ovadese, with Ovada with high hills dotted with medieval castles ( Rocca Grimalda, Orsara Bormida, Tagliolo, Trisobbio) A significant manor house is that of Montaldeo of the Marquises Doria, currently inhabited by a descendant of the great Andrea Doria; castle and village make one and soar among the surrounding hills: the highest castle in the area; finally that of Castelletto d’Orba. The village boasts the presence of as many as two manors: the ancestral Upper Tower and the Castle, surrounded by the charming village that preserves an ancient “ricetto” and the area of Novi with the castle of Tassarolo and S. Cristoforo of the marquises Spinola and Gavi, with its Fort: both famous for their typical white wine and confectionery crafts. The area is the origin of noble wines and genuine flavors, an itinerary in Monferrato is an opportunity to learn about them in the wineries, trattorias in the agritourisms scattered among the hills and villages.
Roero is that portion of the territory located north of Alba, on the left bank of the Tanaro River, between the Carmagnola plain and the low hills of the Asti area. Compared with other neighboring wine-growing areas, the Roero is characterized by a remarkable variety of landscapes that, alongside the vines, feature forests and orchards. One of the elements that characterize the landscape of the Roero are the Rocche, steep reliefs that cut the territory from southwest to northeast, from Pocapaglia to Montà, dividing the continental soils, based on river gravels and clays, from those of marine origin, where vines find their conditions Bra is considered the capital of the Roero, gave rise to the international Slow Food movement, an organization that promotes the discovery, provided it is slow, of genuine flavors that characterize our territory. Rich in palaces and churches, it is one of the major centers of Piedmontese Baroque. Canale, Heart of the Roero with its historic wineries and many typical stores. All that remains of the wall with towers that enclosed the “villanova” is the 13th-century civic tower, later elevated to make a belfry. Always a natural commercial center, among Canale’s historical activities is viticulture; at the beginning of the 20th century, in reaction to some diseases that undermined the vineyards, agriculture turned to peach cultivation Castellinaldo can undoubtedly be called the most vine-growing village in the Roero, with its 63 percent of the land planted with vines. Laying one’s gaze from the highest points to the valleys and ridges below allows one to take in the vision of an agrarian landscape that is a true, splendid work of art of geometry and sinuous lines. The wineries and the “Wine Shop” invite to the tasting of the excellent wines of the area. Vegetables and fruits complete the quality offerings of these lands. A local curiosity is the Festa delle“Bocce quadre,” a tournament of square-shaped bowls, congenial for use along the very steep streets of the village Guarene The village of Guarene has one of the most elegant and intact historic centers of the Roero. The summit village extends over the natural panoramic balcony overlooking the Tanaro River plain. The town is dominated by the 18th-century Roero castle, a Baroque jewel commissioned and designed by Count Carlo Giacinto Roero. Many other towns are part of the Roero and given their characteristics are certainly worth a visit such as Monticello d’Alba, Monteu Roero, Magliano Alfieri,…..
