Planning to visit Piemonte? Looking for recommendations, suggestions & tips? Then you’ve come to the right place.
With over a decade of experience in Piemonte, I am prepared to help make your trip extraordinary. I promise to do absolutely everything I can so that you have the experience of a lifetime.
Visit Piemonte
I can help you
Find accommodations
Book winery visits
Book lunches and dinners
Organize activities – biking, hiking, truffle hunt, cooking class, and more
I can fully & honestly say: you really made our trip to Piedmont!!! I can’t thank you enough for the winery recommendation and the wonderful list of restaurants you told us about, including which had wonderful views. We have been to Piedmont many times already but you had the magic list that we actually never would have thought about. Your recommendations ended up being the highlights of trip. Grazie mille and we will gladly be in touch next time for more advice.
SARAH FROM FRANCE
We traveled to Piemonte for our honeymoon and had the most incredible time thanks to Piemontegirl! She helped us plan everything for the trip and it was just perfect. We loved the hotel she recommended along with the restaurants and wineries she helped us book. We highly recommend her if you are planning a trip to the area!
This summer I tasted the most recent release from Veglio. If I had to pick a favorite from the lineup it would be the Barolo Gattera 2017!
Mauro Veglio Barbera 2020
The 2020 Barbera from Mauro Veglio is very fruity with good acidity. It’s very drinkable, light and fruity, despite the 15% alcohol.
Mauro Veglio Barbera Cascina Nuova 2018
The Cascina Nuova is their Barbera Superiore, so it’s no surprise that this wine is more complex. The ageing in wood has given the wine some spice notes as well as good structure. A balanced wine with good acidity.
Mauro Veglio Langhe Nebbiolo 2019
This wine has a beautiful nose, with aromas of fresh red fruit. It’s a bit concentrated in the mouth, but that’s not uncommon for the 2019’s. Good structure, good tannins, good length.
Mauro Veglio Barolo 2017
The grapes in the Classic Barolo are sourced from Arborina, Castellero, and a small part of Gattera. Good nose, with red fruit and some spice notes. Quite fresh and easy to drink.
Mauro Veglio Gattera 2017
I like this wine a lot. A more masculine nose with aromas of tobacco, spices and some herbs. Quite soft tannins for a 2017.
Mauro Veglio Arborina 2017
The Arborina has that beautiful feminine nose. Quite aromatic for a 2017. A bit warm in the mouth, with round tannins.
Mauro Veglio Castelletto 2017
More rustic nose on the Castelletto 2017, maybe even some leather. A more masculine Barolo, which is not surprising since it’s from Monforte. Dark red fruit and cherry aromas. The tannins are a bit more aggressive as well, structured with a good body.
Here are my notes on the Roberto Voerzio La Serra 2015: I like it. Concise and to the point. There was just something about it. So drinkable. So approachable. So good. And out of all the wines I tasted that day, the La Serra was clearly a favorite.
La Serra
The La Serra vineyard is located in La Morra, right at the top above Cerequio and Case Nere. Why is the location so important? Altitude. Like MapMan Masna says: “elevation is always called into question, because at these heights (the border between La Serra and Cerequio is at exactly 400 meters) even 20-30 meters of difference can be important.”
2015
2015 is know as a “warm” vintage. But, being bookended by 2014 and 2016, 2015 kind of gets lost in translation. May, June and July were very hot, with very little rain, and it was not looking great for a while. Then, August came along with a whole 8 days of rain, followed by a relatively normal September, and a bit of rain in October, giving the vintage what it needed to avoid a 2003 situation.
Roberto Voerzio La Serra 2015
The Roberto Voerzio La Serra 2015 was so approachable with incredibly smooth tannins and lots of good fruit. I tasted it next to the Barolo del Comune di La Morra 2017 and the Case Nere Riserva 2011, and I can honestly say that the La Serra 2015 was my favorite out of the two!
Tasting Notes
During my visit to Roberto Voerzio, I tasted quite a few wines. Here are some notes:
Roberto Voerzio Cerequio 2020
Barrel tasting. The Cerequio 2020 had a beautiful nose. Fruity, fresh. This wine has a bit of structure. Will obviously develop further over the next few years.
Roberto Voerzio Rocche 2020
Barrel tasting. The Rocche had less structure than Cerequio, as of right now, maybe a bit more classic? This is a wine I look forward to taste once it’s in the bottle!
Roberto Voerzio Sarmassa 2019
Barrel tasting. The Sarmassa is made only in magnums! It had a beautiful nose, with a bit more concentration than Rocche, quite typical of the 2019 vintage. A very good wine, a good roundness in the mouth.
Roberto Voerzio La Serra 2019
Barrel tasting. The 2019 La Serra was even more concentrated than the Sarmassa with harsher tannins as well. A big wine with aromas of darker fruits, dark cherry. Very different to the 2015!
Roberto Voerzio Brunate 2018
Tasted from tank. Wow, what an incredible nose. Elegant and concentrated, all at the same time with aromas of dark fruit. Elegant in the mouth as well. A classic wine.
Roberto Voerzio Fossati 2018
Tasted from tank. The Fossati is one of the more masculine wines I tasted that day. Aromas of tobacco, some herbs, red fruit. The tannins were quite harsh, at least compared to the other wines tasted.
Roberto Voerzio Barolo del Comune di La Morra 2017
The Barolo del Comune di La Morra 2017 is a mix of grapes from Boiolo 50% and 50% other cru’s. This was the first wine I tasted during this visit that had really prominent oak notes. Probably because the other wines had some months(+) left in the barrels.
Roberto Voerzio Case Nere riserva 2011
When tasting the Case Nere Riserva 2011, we had reached the end of the visit. And to be honest, we were all a bit preoccupied with out lunch plans, so the only note I have here is: “Quite impressive”. Incidentally, it’s the wine we ended up bringing to lunch. Pretty good way to end the tasting!
One of the highlights on my trip to Langhe, was the dinner at ANT. Honestly, using the word dinner to describe it doesn’t do it any justice. So let me rephrase: one of the highlights on my trip to Langhe was the incredible culinary experience at ANT. Alex, and the rest of the team at ANT, brought me on a journey that I didn’t even know I needed. And it’s a journey you should take as well.
The Adventure Begins
The evening started with a deep dive in their untraditional, mesmerizing wine cellar. ANT does not have a wine list. Instead, you get to pick the wines yourself, from the many options laid out before you. And they are literally laid out – along the pathway, in corners, in the wall. It felt almost like going on a treasure hunt. When you’ve found your bottle(s), you return to your table, and wait for the first dish to arrive.
No, I haven’t skipped a step. Just like there is no wine list, there is no menu. So you don’t order. They will just bring you food, one dish after another. Now, here’s where I was quite nervous. Because, believe it or not, I am a picky eater. And to not have the option to pick and choose frankly scared the shit out of me. But I decided to dive in, head first, and just embrace the concept. And I am so glad I did.
The ANT Adventure Continues
The first thing to arrive on the table was a drink, which had been prepared right beside our table. I took one sip, and wasn’t a huge fan. But then the food came. When we asked what it was, Alex told us that they normally don’t tell you what you’re eating until after. Again, my stomach did a summersault, but hey, I had decided to embrace the concept, so I did. Now, back to the drink I didn’t immediately like. With this first dish, which was something fried in a mayo ish sauce, it was a perfect match. And this would be the theme the rest of the evening.
The team at ANT managed to entertain our tastebuds the whole evening, with the most unlikely combinations of ingredients. One dish was a sort of salad with slices of salami, leaves of different sorts, tomato, strawberry, octopus and a clear sauce. Might sound quite odd, but the combination was exquisite. And this comes from someone who does not eat squid.
Throughout the evening I kept having the feeling of “I’m not sure I love it, but at the same time I can’t stop eating it and it’s actually delicious”. Because, again, I am a picky eater, but the food was just so well thought out and prepared, that it didn’t matter that I “normally don’t like this”. It was definitely a night where my tastebuds were challenged and entertained all at the same time. And I will gladly do it again. And again!
The Ingredients
Almost all the ingredients at ANT is locally sourced. It’s also home-made. And they try to not waste any food. The ice cream we had for dessert was made with leftovers from the week before. They even try to use parts of an ingredient that normally would not be used, always keeping it interesting! And the menu changes every week, with no repeats, which means you’ll never eat the same thing twice. Like Alex said, “we cook dishes that feel like the right thing for the time and the moment”.
Have you tried the recent release from Marengo? Wondering if you should? I think it’s a no brainer, but maybe these tasting notes might help persuade you!
Dolcetto d’Alba 2020
This Dolcetto is on fire! Quite concentrated with good structured and lots of fruit. It lasts forever! So good!
Barbera d’Alba Vigna Pugnane 2019
What a beautiful Barbera nose with aromas of red berries and spices. Explosive, both on the nose and in the mouth.
Nebbiolo d’Alba Valmaggiore 2019
The Marengo Nebbiolo d’Alba Valmaggiore might be my favorite Marengo wine. And one of my favorite Nebbiolo’s. The 2019 is no different! A very balanced wine with good structure and elegant tannins. On the nose you’ll find rose petals, mineral notes and a hint of tobacco.
Barolo: Recent Release from Marengo
Marengo Barolo 2017
The classic Barolo is a bit concentrated, similar to many other 2017 Barolo’s. The tannins are big and a bit more chewy compared to the 2016, but the wine is good!
Barolo Bricco Delle Viole 2017
The Bricco delle Viole has a beautiful floral nose with aromas of dark fruit. Also quite concentrated. Very easy to drink with lots of fruit and good length.
Marengo Barolo Brunate 2017
The Brunate was a little bit closed at first, but opens up in the glass and becomes the Brunate we all know and love. A big but elegant wine with hints of tobacco and leather.
Meet the Marengo Family
Marengo: Geek or nerd, in the modern, positive, definition of the words. The same way Bill Gates is often referred to as a nerd, an expert and enthusiast, and obsessed with intellectual pursuit of winemaking.
Jenny and Marco Marengo are warm and generous people, who are very passionate about their wines. Their son, Stefano, recently joined the winery full time, and the three of them work enthusiastically together in the pursuit of excellent winemaking.
If you ever feel like you need an introduction to Piemonte, you’ve come to the right place! And even if you don’t feel like you need one, my bet is that you’re still in the right place. One of my all time favorite things to do, is share my love of wine with others. And so that’s what I do.
My goal is for you to learn something new while having fun. I want to introduce you to good wines and wonderful winemakers. I aspire to create a space where you can ask any question you might have. In fact, the more questions you have, the better the experience will be. And I want you to know: at a Piemontegirl Tasting there are no stupid questions.
“A True Learning Experience”
We were lucky to have Piemonte Girl take the wine club Garva through tasting of the four wines above. That proved to be a great tasting event combined with a true learning experience. Piemonte Girl has extensive knowledge of the wines we tasted and the Piedmont wine region. Funny that she also spiced it all up with small anecdotes from her time living in Piedmont and working at vineyards there. An experience to be repeated.
“Introduction to Piemonte” is a perfect way to discover what Piemonte has to offer! Together we will taste the three most important red grape varieties. This course is “one size” fits all, and is suitable for everyone. You don’t need any previous knowledge.
Piemontegirl will bring glasses, wine, snacks and many good stories. This course includes 4 wines.
Price: 3499kr *max 8 people
Introduction to Piemonte Virtual Tasting
Just because Piemontegirl is currently located in Oslo and the winemaker from Langhe is located in Piemonte, does not mean we can’t share a meal and some wine together.
The Fratelli Revello Barolo 2017 has that beautiful Barolo aroma. As with other 2017’s, it’s more concentrated than 2016, with aromas of dark fruit. There are also floral notes, a feminine touch, typical of wines from La Morra. Quite structured in the mouth, with good balance. The 2017’s are very young, and will probably benefit from some time in the bottle.
2017 vs 2016
Every vintage is different. Some are hot, some are cold, some are dry and some are wet. And then you have everything in between. You could refer to 2017 as a dry vintage. There was basially a drought from August to November. 2 days of rain in September “saved” the harvest, along with the water reserve from the rainfall in the spring. I’ve only tasted a handful of 2017 Barolo’s so far, but the vintage seems promising.
The Fratelli Revello Barolo 2016 seduces you with aromas of red berries, licorice, tobacco and roses. The wine is powerful yet elegant, with a round fruity feel backed up by a good structure.
The Fratelli Revello story dates all the way back to 1945, but it wasn’t until 1967 they started to vinify their grapes under a family label – Giovanni Revello & Figli. In 1990, Carlo and Lorenzo Revello took over the estate, and worked together until 2016 when they decided to go in different directions. Fratelli Revello stayed with Lorenzo while Carlo started his own label: Carlo Revello & Figli.
It’s quite common for wineries to divide and “multiply” as the family grows. The same happened to the Corino’s in 2005. Just imagine how many would end up working at a winery if everyone had 2-4 children each! I think it’s a win-win, because then each sibling gets to make wine in their own way and we get another interpretation of the wine!
What is a Barolo del comune di “La Morra” or a Barolo de comune di “Serralunga”? The Comune Barolo’s are relatively new, and were previously called just Barolo. In the Barolo region there is a distinction between Barolo and single vineyard Barolo, the difference being where the grapes come from.
Arborina in La Morra
Blend vs. single Vineyard
In the classic Barolo, the grapes usually come from different vineyards and are blended together into one wine, as opposed to the single vineyard Barolo, where all the grapes come from one specific vineyard.
Most winemakers these days make both a blend and single vineyard Barolo’s. I say most, but there are of course exceptions, like Maria Teresa Mascarello. There is only one Bartolo Mascarello Barolo, and it’s a blend from four different vineyards. Exceptions aside, you’ll find most winemakers have both a single vineyard Barolo as well as some single vineyard Barolo’s in their line-up.
Comune vs Classic Barolo
What is the difference between the “Barolo del commune di” and the Barolo Classico? In the Comune Barolo, all the grapes come from the specific Comune, whereas in the Barolo Classico the grapes can come from any of the Barolo villages. But why make the distinction? Terroir plays an integral part in Barolo, and the terroir differs from town to town, making a Comune Barolo an interesting concept. It’s not single vineyard representing a Cru, but it does represent the Comune. *as with the rules for single vineyard wines, they can add up to 15% of the grapes from any Barolo vineyard.
For instance, the Giovanni Corino Barolo del Comune di La Morra has quite different characteristics from the Luigi Pira Barolo del Comune di Serralunga. The La Morra Barolo is a bit more feminine and elegant, whereas the Serralunga Barolo is more masculine and structured.
Note: there are other factors that affect the wine, but it is generally accepted that the wines from La Morra are more feminine than wines from Serralunga.
Tasting Notes
Giovanni Corino Barolo del Comune di La Morra
Beautiful floral aromas, as well as cherry and other red fruit. Elegant and balanced, with a feminine touch. One year in the bottle has rounded the tannins quite a bit, and the wine has perhaps become even more approachable!
Luigi Pira Barolo del Comune di Serralunga
Aromas of cherry and black currant, darker fruits than the Barolo from La Morra. The tannins are also a bit bigger and the wine is more structured. A big but elegant wine. After one year in the bottle, the tannins are still quite persistent. I think this wine could benefit from a few more years in the cellar.
Norwegians will celebrate constitution day next week and I’ve found some of my best wine tips for the occasion! PS: these wines fit any celebration, or just a regular Tuesday! So you can keep reading even if you’re not celebrating 17 Mai
17 mai outfits
17 Mai Champagne Breakfast
It is customary to attend a Champagne Breakfast the morning of 17 Mai. And even if you don’t, it’s a safe bet that you will drink Champagne (or other bubbles) later in the day!
Even though I usually prefer Champagne, there are some alternative choices. One of my good friends from Langhe, Ettore Germano, makes multiple sparkling wines. I’d recommend the Ettore Germano Alta Langa Extra Brut. And the Nyetimber Classic Cuvee is a good English sparkling.
What do you pair with the 17 Mai hot dog?
Those of you who have followed me for a while probably know about the infamous “Hot dog and Barolo” event that takes place late May. If you haven’t tried Barolo with a hot dog, you should! What better way to make a fairly simple food feel extra celebratory? The Cavallotto Barolo Bricco Boschis 2017 is a very good option!
Although Barolo is a good option, you might want some less expensive wine on deck! A Langhe Nebbiolo would do the trick! Here are some of my favorite Langhe Nebbiolo 2019.
Wine for the Chef
Now, this might be the most important wine of the day! The chef obviously needs a glass to enjoy while cooking! My personal favorite would be a Dolcetto, but a glass of white would also work well!
PIEMONTEGIRL 