Monferrato

A pleasant alternation of gentle slopes and small plateaus, the hills are positions from which you can enjoy the view of the surrounding plains and its inviting valleys. This is the area of the "Langhe" and Monferrato in Piedmont, two regions with different geomorphologic conformations united by their many natural resources. The soil is good here, as are the products which come from it. These natural characteristics, combined with a mild climate and enviable position, favored the development of tiny fiefs and duchies from the Medieval Age. Today the remnants of these kingdoms, the castles, can still be seen throughout the area and are unique tourist attractions. The Langhe and the Monferrato areas are therefore fortunate lands. They are also generous lands, ready to offer a pleasant holiday to those who choose visit. For example, you can follow a kind of cultural itinerary and visit the places that inspired Cesare Pavese and Beppe Fenoglio to discover the origins of a poetic evocativeness strongly linked to the earth. Or you can try living the life of a farm hand (albeit for a limited time) in one of the many farm holiday facilities. Or you can dedicate your time and effort to wine tasting and gastronomic digressions by following prepared itineraries (such as the Wine Routes) or just going wherever your fancy takes you, with the certainty that wherever you may end up and whatever you find, you will not be disappointed. You may even wish to combine all of these possibilities with a salubrious, relaxing stay in Acqui Terme, famous in Roman times for the excellent quality of its waters. You can basically pick and choose from the numerous possibilities offered by these two areas, which are among the many tourist attractions that the Piedmont region has to offer. 

WINE AND FOOD

As for protection of the wine-making heritage, here the Piedmont region has made a remarkable accomplishment by establishing seven of the eight Regional Vintage Wine Cellars and Wineries right in the Langhe and Monferrato areas. These organizations are under the direct control of the Piedmont Region and are all located in castles and villas of great artistic value. You might say they are a joy to the eye as well as to the palate. Acqui Terme, Costigliole D'Asti and Vignale are the famous wine-producing localities of the High and Low Monferrato regions, while the towns of Barbaresco, Barolo, Grinzane, and Mango produce the best wines the Langhe have to offer. Besides the Vintage Wine Cellars and Wineries, you can enjoy another interesting experience by visiting the numerous Wine Stores located in the region. And if wine-tasting brings on an appetite, no problem! Several of these Vintage Wine Cellars also have restaurants offering the mouth-watering specialties of the region: "bagna cauda, agnolotti, tagliolini" (braised meats and game, cooked cream puddings). And, grated on almost everything is that sovereign savour and true king of the Langhe, the truffle, which is found right here in Piedmont.