The Langhe: 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.
