INTRODUCTION & LOCATION: Wine, truffles, chocolate...welcome to a gourmet's paradise.

Tucked away in northwest Italy and bordered by the Alps and Liguria, Piedmont (literally "Foothill") does not feel quite as Italian as other regions, the neighboring countries of Switzerland and France having had a distinct influence on its people. It is, however, a highly alluring region and one of the most delightful to be discovered in Italy. Nestled in the heart of Piedmont, the hilly, mist-cloaked area known as the Langhe is a region within a region. Located among medieval castles which stand guard over vineyards on gently rolling hills, the Langhe is an area almost entirely devoted to the cultivation of wine grapes and hazelnuts. In fact, the Langhe (and Roero) districts are graced by some 932 wineries, many of which can be visited for wine tastings. Langhe literally means "strips of land" and the wild, rugged scenery of the Upper Langhe, whose oak woods shelter wild boar and nearly fifty species of orchid, give way to the hazelnut groves of the Middle Langhe and then to the vineyards of the Lower Langhe. The hills of the Lower Langhe are unusually shaped with alternating steep and gentle slopes. Not unlike waves in their appearance, they were in fact shaped by the prehistoric currents of the so-called Tetide Ocean, which covered the area many thousands of years ago. What is immediately striking about the landscape is its incredible lushness, from the rich green of the vine leaves to the silver-green of the poplars and willows that grow on the valley floors. Beckoning to the visitor, these fascinating towns are waiting to be discovered by those daring enough to explore this "secret region".

THE BAROLO VILLAGES OF THE LANGHE: AN OENOPHILE'S HEAVEN ON EARTH

The long, lush hills that make up the Langhe contain some of Italy's best-kept secrets. This region, centered around Alba, includes a web of towns and villages famous around the world for a single red wine - Barolo. There are eleven Barolo-producing villages, which are a delight to explore, the opportunities for wine tasting simply providing an added attraction. The vineyards surrounding these eleven villages produce 6.5 million bottles of Barolo each year. (Italy is the world's largest wine-producer, accounting for almost one fifth of all production.). Barolo is made from Nebbiolo grapes and the end result is a soft, velvety, garnet-colored wine with orange flecks and a bouquet with a hint of violets. It makes an excellent accompaniment to the area's superb cuisine, which incorporates the rich local produce: white truffles, hazelnuts, wild mushrooms and delicious cheeses. An excellent place to taste some of these wines is at the Enoteca Comunale in the town of Barolo, which represents all of the area's producers. The district's fame is also strongly buoyed by another quality red, Barbaresco, and few areas can compete with the vineyards of this region. To gaze across the landscape, it seems as if the people have been guarding these secrets for centuries, as a medieval castle seems to dominate every hilltop. Langhe and Roero are territories of easy access, they can be rapidly reached by motorway, but it is by going along the little side roads that you can discover the deep charm of this rich countryside with more than a hundred towns and villages. We are going to mention just a few of those typical towns in an effort to whet your appetite and give you a taste of the sweetness of this enchanting region.