Don’t worry we got you covered with lots of ideas for a one day Langhe wine tour! If you would like to explore Barolo on your own you can find my blog post here, otherwise you can write me for a possible one day Langhe wine tour. 

HOW IT WORKS?

You will start the day in the picturesque town of Alba, which is located right in the heart of Langhe. Alba is the capital city of Barolo and Barbaresco, and also it is known for its famous Alba white truffles.  A little bit about Alba, it was founded by Romans in 89 B.C. and in that time it was known as Alba Pompeia. It still preserves the original roman shape of a hexagon and the two main streets, Via Vittorio Emanuele II and Via Cavour are a memory of the ancient Cardo Maximo and Decumano Maximo. These two streets were the primary roads of the roman city, and the main roads of today.

However, nowadays if you’re having a walk, you’ll see what’s left of the medieval town, since during the Middle Ages Alba was reshaped by the noble families that were fighting to get more control and power over the city and the territory of Langhe. It was like a “Game of Thrones, Langhe edition”! The war wasn’t only physical though, but also a symbolic one. These families were building all over the town their own tower-houses, literally little fortresses with one high tower on a side, inside the walls. The logic was simple: the higher the tower the more powerful and rich was the family. From that period the city started to be called the city of a hundred towers.

You can start with a nice walk in the city centre, pedestrian streets only. Take Via Cavour and continue in the direction of Piazza Umberto I (or Piazza del Duomo as the locals are calling it!). Halfway you’ll find Piazza Publio Elvio Pertinace, dedicated to the only Roman emperor that was coming from Alba Pompeia. Dedicate a moment to go there and have a look at the archaeological site of the Roman temple of Alba Pompeia.

Then, continue in the direction of Piazza del Duomo and once you’re there take Via Vittorio Emanuele II. This one is the main shopping street of the town and you will also find many cafés and pastry bars. I recommend you to stop in one of these for your breakfast. Be sure to try the baci di dama cookies and the chocolate truffles, they are very typical and delicious!

Once you’re done, continue your morning with a wine tasting. You’ll take the road that goes from Alba to Barbaresco, to get to the winery. Have a look around you, you’ll be driving through the stunning UNESCO hills of Langhe. The amazing thing about this landscape is that is beautiful all year long. You can be here in the summer with the green vineyards and see the grapes growing or during winter with the hills covered by snow. Do you prefer less extreme weather? Try coming during fall, you won’t regret it! You’ll be surround by hills painted in red, yellow and orange. The foliage with the mist is incredible. Last but not least during spring the sky is clear and it’s often possible to see the alps in the background, giving you these stunning vistas. It’s like being in a postcard!

Now you are at the winery. Let the family member take you for a visit of the facility ended by a tasting of the typical wines of the area. Start with a Dolcetto or a Barbera, the two everyday and most traditional wines. Continue with a Nebbiolo and then, in the end, try the Barbaresco wine. You will be able to sense the differences of the grapes and the terroir in your nose and in your mouth. You won’t be able to forget the experience!

LUNCH

I have a nice surprises for lunch, typical Osteria or Trattoria, cheese monger lunch, or even lunch with a local. 

You can either have a long typical lunch with many courses, good company, and local wines. Or you can enjoy a guided cheese tasting lead by the cheese mongers themselves, telling you all about the cheese fining process and some funny stories too.  

AFTERNOON

At this point it’s time to try another winery, one that is placed in another famous wine region of Piemonte. To get there you will be surrounded again by the marvellous UNESCO landscape. Langhe is pretty famous, but it isn’t the only wine region of Piemonte!

At the winery you’ll try some really good Barbera and Barbera Superiore wine. You’ll find in the nose notes of plum, dark cherries, red fruits but also liquorice, tobacco and leather, for the more aged ones.

This part of Piedmont is the traditional area of Barbera and also the best one. It’s characterized by not so high hills and temperate type of weather. The vineyards are touched by a nice wind and a good amount of rain during the year.

On our way back to our meeting point, we will stop along the way to take in some afternoon view points and to get in a photo or two before the day is done. 

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Your one day Langhe wine tour packages is waiting for you. Let me plan a custom one day wine tour exactly how your imagine, be it one or two days we know this area and all of its secrets to help you build the perfect Italian wine and food lover vacation.