The wine of the Langhe Piemontesi is more than a pastime, it’s a tradition rooted in ancient history. And wineries are a frequent presence in this area characterised by a consolidated passion for viticulture and winemaking.
Piedmont’s prestigious wines come is a range of very different types and prices, from very different areas. This is thanks to the great tradition for this activity, vines having been cultivated in the Langhe area since the time of the Ancient Romans.
As the years have gone by, the activity has evolved, with machines bringing the production process into line with contemporary requirements. But when you visit the small estates that produce the DOC and DOCG wines of the Langhe it’s like taking a step back in time. And it is from this point that we want to begin our journey into this magical world, from the place that produce some of the finest Piedmont wines.
The typical wine of the Langhe
Wines created by estates of all sizes, and of all ages, from large to small and from historical to modern: Barolo, Nebbiolo and Dolcetto delle Langhe have fans throughout Italy and the world. The cellar and its interaction with the surrounding landscape is a central theme to understand the wine of the Langhe Piemontesi.
The response to technical and functional requirements, together with increasing needs for representation and visibility, have taken the production of wine to levels of excellence. Before making their choices, those who come on holiday in the Langhe organise long walks and food and wine trips to discover these places. And those who buy a house know that all this is part of the added value.
A day in the Langhe and in the Monferrato to visit some prestigious examples of historical wineries that have been renovated or built ex novo, to an appropriate design, is all it takes to understand the balance achieved between man’s intervention and the landscape.
The finest wineries in the Langhe
Let’s take a special and what we hope is a thorough trip through the magnificent territory registered on UNESCO’s World Heritage List in 2014. Which are the finest wineries in the Langhe? What does the Barolo trail offer? Here’s a list of places to visit when organising food and wine itineraries and walks.
Castiglione Falletto – A symbol of the wine of the Langhe Piemontesi, and of Piedmont’s wines in general: Ceretto’s glass cube, with its sharp edges and a solid base, which represents the structure of Barolo. Another high-impact name for wineries in Piedmont is La Brunella. Alongside the historical premises, a new cellar for making and ageing the characteristic wine of the Langhe, Barolo, has been built.
Barolo – If you’re on holiday or exploring the area because you’d like to buy a house in the Langhe, a visit to Marchesi di Barolo is a must, an exciting tour of a historical winery. Do you have exclusive tastes and an unstoppable desire to visit a location of excellence? Welcome to L’Astemia Pentita, a high-impact winery with an exclusive design, presented in the shape of two gigantic wooden wine cases, stacked one on top of the other.
La Morra – Two places of excellence in the town are the Renato Ratti winery, one of the most famous winemakers in the Langhe, and Azienda Agricola Gian Piero Marrone, with a family tradition running through four generations of winegrowers.
Neive – Definitely worth visiting here is Cantina del Glicine, a splendid 16th century underground structure built from stone.
Barbaresco – Cantina Sociale dei Produttori: 100 hectares of vineyards in the heart of the UNESCO World Heritage core zone.
Alba – Two more cellars to discover the great wines of the Langhe: Pio Cesare, a historical cellar right in the centre of Alba, and Mauro Sebaste: outstanding quality and tradition at the service of those who love the finest wines of Piedmont.
Santo Stefano Belbo – Azienda Agricola Paolo Berutti, with its excellent Moscato d’Asti and a fabulous “Alta Langa” sparkling wine.
These are just a few examples to discover the architecture in the cellars of the Langhe, along with their great wines.
What is the best wine of the Langhe Piemontesi?
From Piedmont’s white wines to its reds, via its sparkling and sweet wines: the Langhe are a winelover’s paradise. The tourists who flock here in their droves know this only too well, as do those who want to buy houses, apartments, farms and country properties to renovate in the Langhe. It could be a good idea to rediscover a new and different way of life, dedicated to good food.