Italian Cookery Courses: Asti, Piedmont Cookery Holiday in Italy

Bountiful Piedmont
La Morra (Alta Langa), Piedmont

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About the location: By now their names are familiar everywhere: Barbaresco, Barbera, Nebbiolo, and most famous of all, Barolo. The Langhe area of southern Piedmont, the land of some of Italy’s most prized wines, has become a well-known destination for wine connoisseurs and truffle-lovers. Less known, however, are its other charms: the number of stunning medieval castles that dot the countryside, standing majestically on the Langhe’s tall hills; the awesome sight of the snow-covered Alps that can be seen encircling the region on a clear day; the genteel hospitality of the residents, who will welcome you into their homes and hearts and impart their pride of place to you; the breathtaking views of steep hills and valleys, blanketed with vineyards.

The cuisine of the Langhe area of Piedmont encompasses the best of Italian cooking and embraces the land’s proximity to France: emphasis is placed on starters and main courses, while first courses feature such staples as home-made pasta al ragù (meat sauce), and melt-in-your-mouth gnocchi in a creamy sauce flavored with the region’s famous cheeses. Not to be missed are the second courses, such as the traditional “Brasato al Barolo,” or veal marinated and cooked in Barolo wine, and desserts such as the earthy torta di nocciola (hazelnut cake) in chocolate sauce.

Depending on availability, your accommodations will be in one of two charming, small B&B properties in the Langhe. One is a small family-owned property where the owner’s mother still prepares the preserves from the fruit grown on their property. The other is a lovingly restored, three-bedroom B&B in an elegant 17-century stone house. Both feature amazing views of the surrounding countryside and easy accessibility to some of Piedmont’s most spectacular sites. Your hosts will do their utmost to make you love and appreciate this exquisite region.

About the cookery courses: The cookery courses are given by your hostess, who will share not only her recipes, but also her love for the Piedmontese cuisine, land and culture. During each class you will participate in the preparation of a full meal. A very special experience, in one of Italy’s most beatiful areas.

Bountiful Piedmont Itinerary

Day 1

Please note that depending on days of the week and season, some activities or order of events may change.

  • Arrival at Malpensa airport or Milan train station and transfer to the Langhe; check in to your charming B&B accommodations.

Day 2

  • Breakfast.
  • Explore the magic of the uncontaminated Upper Langa: a panoramic tour through Diano, Montelupo, Serravalle and Bossolasco, as far as Murazzano. Visit to a cheese producer and time to explore on your own the characteristic village with its mediaeval tower and windmill.
  • Lunch in a local trattoria and continuation of the tour through Dogliani and Cherasco to return to your accommodations for the first lesson on “the cuisine of the Langhe:” the lady running your charming accommodation will show how a typical menu is prepared (one starter, one pasta dish, one main course, one dessert); the dishes prepared during the lesson will then be tasted afterwards at dinner, paired with local wines.
  • Overnight.

Day 3

  • Breakfast.
  • Today will be spent discovering the growing area of Barolo, one of the most highly- prized wines in the world: tour plus tasting in a winery where the “King of wines” is made, followed by a visit to the medieval town of Monforte.
  • In the afternoon, tour of Grinzane Cavour Castle, its Country Life Museum, and the Regional Enoteca with traditional wines carefully selected by the masters of the Order of the Knights of the Truffle and Wines of Alba.
  • Dinner in a typical restaurant.
  • Transfer back to your accommodations and overnight.

Day 4

  • Breakfast.
  • Transfer in the morning to the Roman city of Asti, where you can wander through the old center and explore on your own.
  • Return in the Langhe and lunch in a characteristic local inn. In the afternoon tour the Barbaresco wine country, through the towns of Barbaresco, Treiso, and the characteristic old village of Neive. You may wish to stop and walk through the towns, or to have another wine tasting at one of the local enotecas.
  • Visit to an organic flour stone mill, followed by dinner in a local trattoria.

Day 5

  • Breakfast, followed by a very special day. Transfer to Alba for a morning in the historic capital of the Langhe, with its numerous enotecas and places where good food and wine are an intrinsic part of the culture. Time to explore on your own.
  • Lunch on your own in Alba.
  • Mouth-watering afternoon visit with a nougat producer with tasting, or visit of a local sweet shop featuring regional goodies.
  • Transfer to your accommodations for your second lesson on “the cuisine of the Langhe.” The chef will show how a second typical menu is prepared; the dishes prepared during the lesson will then be tasted afterwards at a final dinner, paired with local wines.
  • Overnight.

Day 6

  • Breakfast, then transfer to Malpensa airport or Milan train station.

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