Turin: Taste and conviviality

Italy’s first capital city and today the beating heart of Piedmont, Turin has an innate creative energy. It was here that grissini (bread sticks), vermouth, gianduja (a rich chocolate-hazelnut spread) and unique ice cream flavours were born, and this rich gastronomic tradition is still expressed in the city’s many pastry shops and cafés, trattorias and Michelin-starred restaurants. Among the most popular and beloved snacks in Turin (and beyond) is the tramezzino. This tiny tea sandwich was invented by the owner of Turin’s Caffè Mulassano in 1926. Tradition has it that the godfather of this sandwich was a true celebrity, the poet Gabriele D’Annunzio. The little “hunger stopper,” as it was first called, thus found its definitive Italian name: tramezzino. 

What about vermouth? Italy’s taste capital can also credibly claim to be the origin of this versatile aperitif. The ancient Romans had a similar drink called Absinthiatum vinum, which was passed down with the German name Wermuth (wormwood, or absinthe). In 1786, Antonio Benedetto Carpano replicated the recipe by mixing herbs and spices with Muscat wine from his cellar, which was located near the Royal Palace in Turin. Convinced that his concoction was a winner, he gave a cartload to King Victor Amadeus III, who was delighted with the drink and appointed Carpano official supplier of the Royal House. The rest, as they say, is history: vermouth is now regarded as an essential ingredient in the world of mixology. Read more stories of taste.

The Lake District: Lake Maggiore, Lake Mergozzo, Lake Orta and the Ossola Valley

You’ve no doubt heard of Lake Como, famously a lavish sanctuary for Hollywood (and actual) royalty, but just a short distance to the west lies one of Italy’s best-kept secrets: the lake district of Piedmont. Here, guests are invited to stroll through the vineyards of the Val d’Ossola, where tart, mid-bodied Valli Ossolane grapes are cultivated. Following ancient mule tracks, you can discover marvelous villages still well-preserved and showcasing typical rural architecture. Specialties of this region include the black bread of Coimo, made from rye; Ossola-style gnocchi; prosciutto crudo from the Vigezzo Valley, Brisaula Val d’Ossola (a cured meat prized for its delicate, sometimes spicy flavour) and the famous goat’s “violini.” Excellent cheeses include Ossolano, the prized Bettelmatt and Toma del Mottarone.

The lakes here are famous for their freshwater bounty: trout, perch and whitefish, pike, char, gardon and bleak. And for dessert, choose from between tasty lake shortcakes or a traditional Ossola-style bread and milk cake, cooked in a terracotta pan. Find out more: www.distrettolaghi.it/en

Biella

An unexpected natural jewel, nestled in the northwest of Piedmont, the Biellese is the ideal place to relax and rejuvenate with fine wine and food and luxury accommodations.

Visit Serra Hill, the longest moraine in Europe and the natural boundary between Biellese and Canavese. Stop to enjoy amazing views along its ridge before making your way to Lake Viverone. Here, many small winemakers show off their local wines, Erbaluce and Canavese.

In the hills of Eastern Biellese, discover the small historic villages of Masserano and Lessona and the wines produced at the nearby family-owned estates in this verdant area: Bramaterra, Lessona and Coste della Sesia, based on Nebbiolo vines. There’s an opportunity to stay in castles, like those in Vigliano and Castellengo, combining wine tasting and history while enjoying modern comforts and the tranquillity of the countryside.

Then, discover Oasi Zegna, a vast and freely accessible area (no gates, tickets or opening hours) that covers around 100 square kilometres with views of the Po Valley and the alpine peaks from Monte Rosa to Monviso. Here, in restaurants and mountain huts, you can enjoy an irresistible menu based on Piedmont traditions, featuring main dishes like meat stew and polenta, game with bilberries, butter and cheeses, goat salamis, mocetta (made with beef joist, spiced with mountain herbs), honey, and jams produced in Oasi Zegna (subject to availability). Find out more: www.atl.biella.it/en/home

Alessandria

In the province of Alessandria in eastern Piedmont, more than 700 kilometres of roads connect 109 municipalities, passing through more than 20 varieties of wine. The Gran Monferrato Wine Route tells the story of a unique territory and its oenological heritage. The road, which joins the municipalities of Acqui Terme, Casale Monferrato and Ovada, is divided into four different sections and can be navigated via a number of itineraries. The first section is the Strada del Grignolino, which unites Casale Monferrato and Cuccaro in a 240-kilometre route. Then there is the Wine River Route, from Cuccaro to Castelnuovo Bormida (125 kilometres), the Strada degli Aromatici, from Castelnuovo Bormida to Morbello (231 kilometres), and, finally, the Strada del Dolcetto, which connects Cassinelle and Bosio (108 kilometres). You can travel by bicycle or car, stopping at wineries along the way to experience this area and its wines, including Brachetto d’Acqui, Acqui, Gavi or Ovada, or even the Dolcetto, the Grignolino or the Cortese. Find out more: www.granmonferrato.it