The Auswine Forum

Posted: **Wed May 20, 2009 1:16 pm**

Heading off for a holiday to Europe shortly, and will be spending a few days in the town of Barolo. Was wondering if there were people who had spent time in Piedmont/Barolo, and whether they had any tips or recommendations in terms of wines/wineries to try.

Cheers,

Andrew

Posted: **Wed May 20, 2009 5:39 pm**

Hi Andrew

Super envious; probably my favorite wine region of all of those we've visited. We made appointments at Sandrone, Cantina del Pino, Sottimano & La Spinetta. We also dropped in at Ciabot Berton, where we had made an appointment, but it appeared that they had a cellar door open to the public. We dropped in to Produttori del Barbaresco, who have a public cellar door, but they had sold out of all of their single vineyard wines. They informed us that the 2004s would be available near the end of 2008, so you should be in luck.

All of these tastings were absolutely fantastic, with winemakers incredibly welcoming and keen to share their time and their wine. I'd recommend all of the above without reservation. I'd suggest that you allow plenty of time for each tasting, as in our experience they tended to be long, contemplative affaris including a tour of the winery. I made all of the appointments simply through an introductory email (translated into Italian by a friend).

All of the above were free tastings with the exception of La Spinetta, who charge 20 euro per person for a tour and guided tasting. But I certainly didn't feel ripped off by that experience; their wines and their facilities are top-shelf.

The view from La Morra is probably the best view I've seen of a wine region. I reckon we stood there for the best part of an hour and just soaked it up.

If you want any more information just shoot me a quick message.

Cheers
Nick

Posted: **Wed May 20, 2009 11:29 pm**

Thanks Nick. Really useful info. I have emailed the wineries you mentioned. Really looking forward to it!

Posted: **Tue Aug 12, 2014 11:35 am**

Hi guys, apologies for digging up a fossil, but figured it is probably better to keep as much info in one thread to make searching easier for others.

My partner and I are in Europe for Oktoberfest this year and I have managed to negotiate a stop in piedmont for two nights on our way through Italy to France. Places were filling up, so I booked a place in Serralunga d'Alba.

I was hoping there would be some well traveled members who could give us some advice for where to visit, where to eat, what to try etc.

Posted: **Tue Aug 12, 2014 2:06 pm**

Other people's information but you could try

restaurants
Centro Storico Serralunga d'Alba
Osteria Dell' Arco ( Piazza Savona, Alba)
Enoclub ( Piazza Savona,Alba)
Osteria LaLibera, Alba
Ristorante Piazza Duomo ,Alba ( 3 star Michelin )
Locanda del Pilone ( 1 star Michelin, about 20mins drive from Alba)
Villa D'Amelia ( 1 star Michelin , Benevello, 25 mins drive from Alba)
All'Enoteca , Canale ( 1 star Michelin, about 20 mins drive from Alba)
Al Castello , Grinzane Cavour ( 1 star Michelin, about 10 mins drive from Alba)
La Rei , Serralunga d'Alba ( 1 star Michelin, about 20 mins drive from Alba)
La Ciau delTornavento , Treiso ( 1 star Michelin , about 25 mins frive fro Alba)
http://www.larosadeivini.it/ (outstanding wine list apparently)
La rosa dei Vini
Localita Parafada 4
12050 Serralunga dÃ¢â‚¬â„¢Alba
Telephone 0173-613219
Wonderful view from a terrace overlooking the rolling hills of Serralunga, they also have some rooms. Good food especially the tarajin ravioli and extensive wine list

Recommended producers
Roberto Urscheler in Mombaruzzo http://www.trovavetrine.it/scheda/92...r-roberto.html who welcomes visitors and speaks good English
Malgra, also in Mombaruzzo, http://www.malgra.it/welcome_eng.lasso who deserve to be better known
Phil Blades http://www.stayinpiedmont.com in Castelnuovo Belbo makes very decent Barbera and Moscato in tiny boutique quantities
Carussin in S Marzano http://www.carussin.it/presentazione.php

Alba truffle festival is on in October
http://howtowinetravel.wordpress.com/20 ... e-hunting/
http://www.fieradeltartufo.org/

Posted: **Tue Aug 12, 2014 4:05 pm**

In Serralunga itself there is Massolino winery - definitely worth visiting. At the top of the hill there is also an enoteca Centro Storico that does good food. Also on the food front Schiavenza has a great restaurant doing all the classic Piedmontese dishes and is also a wine producer.

If you are there for 2 days only I would book restaurants in advance to make the most of your time. Also necessary to book appointments for winery visits. I would give about 2 hours for each visit. Potentially you could do 3 a day with lunch but it would be a push. 2 visits a day is a lot more relaxing.

Personally I would stay away from Alba as there is plenty to do in the villages, especially if you like walking through the vineyards. The tourist office at La Morra has a bunch of walks that they can guide you on. Driving around can also take a bit longer than you expect & make sure you have a map or GPS as it's dead easy to get lost!

Wineries I would recommend visiting:
Elio Grasso (Monforte)
Cavallotto (Castiglione Falletto) +++ on this one
Massolino (Serralunga)
Brovia (Castiglione Falletto)
B Mascarello (Barolo)
Marcarini (La Morra)

Restaurants:
Bovio (La Morra) great views for a lunch
Le Torri (Castiglione)
Trattoria della Posta (Monforte)
Schiavenza & Centro Storico (Serralunga)

Posted: **Tue Aug 12, 2014 5:02 pm**

vovo wrote:My partner and I are in Europe for Oktoberfest this year and I have managed to negotiate a stop in piedmont for two nights on our way through Italy to France. Places were filling up, so I booked a place in Serralunga d'Alba.

Hey vovo, I'll be heading to Oktoberfest too!

I'll be in Munich from the 30th sept till the 3rd oct. There's an iphone app for Oktoberfest if you haven't downloaded it already.

Sorry I'm not much help with your wine queries however! Have a good trip!

Posted: **Wed Aug 13, 2014 2:19 pm**

Thanks Ross and Mivvy, that is some very good info and certainly enough to keep me busy for a while. It is definitely not as easy researching over there as it is over here.

Really appreciate the effort. If anyone has personal experiences or high recommendations, that would be greatly appreciated as I find those the most rewarding typically. Especially when slightly off the beaten path. Mivvy, it seems cavalotto is one of those high recommendations.

LGW yeah Oktoberfest should be good, we are there from 20-24th September. We have wanted to go for a while now but the planets have never aligned.

Thanks guys
Clive

Posted: **Wed Aug 13, 2014 4:57 pm**

My picks for winery visits would be Cavallotto and Elio Grasso. At Elio Grasso there is a guy called Roberto who is originally from Brisbane and a wealth of knowledge on the region. If you can get in to Mascarello then also great. Most places you can arrange visits by email but last I knew Mascarello is phone only and I don't think they have a website - maybe worth asking the place where you are staying if they can arrange for you.

On the food front #1 would be lunch at Bovio. Schiavenza then good for a dinner in Serralunga and one of either Le Torri or La Posta for another lunch. I am definitely jealous!!

Posted: **Thu Aug 14, 2014 12:30 am**

Like Mivvy we enjoyed Bovio very much.

Although the unparalleled highlight of our honeymoon was dinner at Piazza Duomo in Alba. A combination of occasion and food has given us a dinner to always remember. My write up I did for the Grape Mates last year: (I suggest using a PC with browser maxed on fullscreen, not an iPhone or tablet as the forum chops photos off small screens without giving any scrollbars)
--------------------
Piazza Duomo, Alba

Pure coincidence had us arriving there on a Friday night smack bang in the middle of Fiera Internazionale del Tartufo Bianco (International White Truffle Fair), so of course we had to book a truffle-matched degustation!

We had only just arrived that afternoon and barely got to get our groundings, so it took us about 10 minutes to find the restaurant entrance as the address is basically "the piazza of the dome", and the entrance is hidden just inside one of many alleyways running from the piazza.

After heading upstairs and the staff taking our coats, we were taken to our table in the small main room, which is fairly simple pink room with simple decorations and small windows - you are certainly not there for the view.

Immediately we were presented with a dazzling array of amuse bouche, amazingly presented:

Amuse Bouches from bottom to top:
Savoury Egg Custard
Goat Cheese Ball
Unknown white coated ball (parmesan maybe?)
Cocoa and Olive Marshmallow
Warm Taco
Seaweed Crackers
Baked 'Spaghetti Carbonara (see below for closer photo)

Couldn't fit them all in the one frame, so here is number 7 up close:

Baked 'Spaghetti Carbonara

We were also presented with the menu, our choice of course being the truffle degustation:

Accompagnando Il Tartufo Menu

Following this we were presented with Amuse Bouche number 8.

Fake olives - Scampi and Raw Beef

Amuse bouche number 9 was light and fluffy but packed with flavour.

Chard Sponge with Tuna Mayonnaise

Amuse bouche number 10 (proving there is no such thing as too much amuse bouche).

Foie Gras Mousse with Crunchy Corn and Ginger Mousse

And the last order of business before hitting the First Course (!) was selecting our truffle. The waiter wheeled out a cart with the most amazing smells wafting out of it, presenting us with an array of all sized white truffles. Knowing nothing about truffle selection we relied on the waiter to help us select one - at first we were hesitant about how large to get, but the waiter informed us that we only pay for what we use (they shave them for us, so you don't get customer's fingers all over them!!). We needn't have worried, having used the whole thing by the end of it (you only live once).

They selected the truffle and weighed it on a scale - 28 grams (at 7 euro per gram) and put it under a cloche. Every time the cloche was opened the whole area filled up with a beautiful pungent smell, so of course we had to keep opening it and smelling it.

28 grams of truffle, and the tools of the trade

Finally - it was time to move on to first course!

The scallops were very tasty, just enough for the truffle to balance it/be its equal.

Scallops, Sweet Potato, Hazelnut

The Tartare was very delicate and really highlighted the truffles.

Fassona Veal Tartare

The potato cream dish was stunning and rich with the truffles and had a beautiful smokiness from the Lapsang Souchong.

Potato Cream, Lapsang Souchong

The agnolotti involved saffron, cheese and truffle... need I say more. This was so good we asked the waiter to shave on extra truffle, at the risk of not having enough for the last savoury course!

Agnolotti with Fondue Cheese

The Partridge and Fois Gras had a lot of flavour, so the truffle took a slight back seat, but still enhanced the dish. Probably not helped by the fact that we used most of the truffle in the previous dish!

Partridge, Fois Gras Sauce

My wife loved the Mont Blanc.

Mont Blanc

Petit Fours
Warm milk with Grappa di Moscato
Italian biscotti - Choc Hazelnut, Cornmeal, Cherry Chocolate
Chocolate Truffle, Chocolate Macaroon
Popped Quinoa, with Green Tea and White Chocolate
Grapes
Extra chocolate truffles in a bowl

Posted: **Thu Aug 14, 2014 8:15 am**

Nice pics! Have heard good things but have never been there.

Posted: **Thu Aug 14, 2014 3:24 pm**

Heaps of great info here:

http://www.hotelcastellodisinio.com/wine.html

Went to Bovio in June, view 98 points, food 90, wine list 96.

jim

Posted: **Mon Aug 18, 2014 11:04 pm**

I almost forgot, in Alba, La Bottega del Vicoletto is an excellent casual little gem full of locals, if you want very tasty local food. The Vitello Tonnato and Insalata del Pollo were very good (trying to remember our mains but it escapes me...). There is also an excellent little takeaway deli section at the front of the restaurant if you are setting up a picnic.

Posted: **Mon Mar 18, 2019 10:25 am**

odyssey wrote:Like Mivvy we enjoyed Bovio very much.

Although the unparalleled highlight of our honeymoon was dinner at Piazza Duomo in Alba. A combination of occasion and food has given us a dinner to always remember. My write up I did for the Grape Mates last year: (I suggest using a PC with browser maxed on fullscreen, not an iPhone or tablet as the forum chops photos off small screens without giving any scrollbars)
--------------------
Piazza Duomo, Alba

Pure coincidence had us arriving there on a Friday night smack bang in the middle of Fiera Internazionale del Tartufo Bianco (International White Truffle Fair), so of course we had to book a truffle-matched degustation!

We had only just arrived that afternoon and barely got to get our groundings, so it took us about 10 minutes to find the restaurant entrance as the address is basically "the piazza of the dome", and the entrance is hidden just inside one of many alleyways running from the piazza.

After heading upstairs and the staff taking our coats, we were taken to our table in the small main room, which is fairly simple pink room with simple decorations and small windows - you are certainly not there for the view.

Immediately we were presented with a dazzling array of amuse bouche, amazingly presented:

Amuse Bouches from bottom to top:
Savoury Egg Custard
Goat Cheese Ball
Unknown white coated ball (parmesan maybe?)
Cocoa and Olive Marshmallow
Warm Taco
Seaweed Crackers
Baked 'Spaghetti Carbonara (see below for closer photo)
[url=http://s1197.photobucket.com/user/murphe777 ... 5.jpg.html][img]http://i1197.photobucket.com/albums/aa432/m ... 03_225.jpg[/img][/url]

Couldn't fit them all in the one frame, so here is number 7 up close:

Baked 'Spaghetti Carbonara
[url=http://s1197.photobucket.com/user/murphe777 ... 7.jpg.html][img]http://i1197.photobucket.com/albums/aa432/m ... 09_247.jpg[/img][/url]

We were also presented with the menu, our choice of course being the truffle degustation:

Accompagnando Il Tartufo Menu
[url=http://s1197.photobucket.com/user/murphe777 ... 6.jpg.html][img]http://i1197.photobucket.com/albums/aa432/m ... 13_226.jpg[/img][/url]

Following this we were presented with Amuse Bouche number 8.

Fake olives - Scampi and Raw Beef
[url=http://s1197.photobucket.com/user/murphe777 ... 1.jpg.html][img]http://i1197.photobucket.com/albums/aa432/m ... 15_241.jpg[/img][/url]

Amuse bouche number 9 was light and fluffy but packed with flavour.

Chard Sponge with Tuna Mayonnaise
[url=http://s1197.photobucket.com/user/murphe777 ... 8.jpg.html][img]http://i1197.photobucket.com/albums/aa432/m ... 16_228.jpg[/img][/url]

Amuse bouche number 10 (proving there is no such thing as too much amuse bouche).

Foie Gras Mousse with Crunchy Corn and Ginger Mousse
[url=http://s1197.photobucket.com/user/murphe777 ... 9.jpg.html][img]http://i1197.photobucket.com/albums/aa432/m ... 18_229.jpg[/img][/url]

And the last order of business before hitting the First Course (!) was selecting our truffle. The waiter wheeled out a cart with the most amazing smells wafting out of it, presenting us with an array of all sized white truffles. Knowing nothing about truffle selection we relied on the waiter to help us select one - at first we were hesitant about how large to get, but the waiter informed us that we only pay for what we use (they shave them for us, so you don't get customer's fingers all over them!!). We needn't have worried, having used the whole thing by the end of it (you only live once).

They selected the truffle and weighed it on a scale - 28 grams (at 7 euro per gram) and put it under a cloche. Every time the cloche was opened the whole area filled up with a beautiful pungent smell, so of course we had to keep opening it and smelling it.

28 grams of truffle, and the tools of the trade
[url=http://s1197.photobucket.com/user/murphe777 ... 2.jpg.html][img]http://i1197.photobucket.com/albums/aa432/m ... 26_232.jpg[/img][/url]

Finally - it was time to move on to first course!

The scallops were very tasty, just enough for the truffle to balance it/be its equal.

Scallops, Sweet Potato, Hazelnut
[url=http://s1197.photobucket.com/user/murphe777 ... 3.jpg.html][img]http://i1197.photobucket.com/albums/aa432/m ... 42_233.jpg[/img][/url]

The Tartare was very delicate and really highlighted the truffles.

Fassona Veal Tartare
[url=http://s1197.photobucket.com/user/murphe777 ... 4.jpg.html][img]http://i1197.photobucket.com/albums/aa432/m ... 43_234.jpg[/img][/url]

The potato cream dish was stunning and rich with the truffles and had a beautiful smokiness from the Lapsang Souchong.

Potato Cream, Lapsang Souchong
[url=http://s1197.photobucket.com/user/murphe777 ... 5.jpg.html][img]http://i1197.photobucket.com/albums/aa432/m ... 48_235.jpg[/img][/url]

The agnolotti involved saffron, cheese and truffle... need I say more. This was so good we asked the waiter to shave on extra truffle, at the risk of not having enough for the last savoury course!

Agnolotti with Fondue Cheese
[url=http://s1197.photobucket.com/user/murphe777 ... 6.jpg.html][img]http://i1197.photobucket.com/albums/aa432/m ... 52_236.jpg[/img][/url]

The Partridge and Fois Gras had a lot of flavour, so the truffle took a slight back seat, but still enhanced the dish. Probably not helped by the fact that we used most of the truffle in the previous dish!

Partridge, Fois Gras Sauce
[url=http://s1197.photobucket.com/user/murphe777 ... 7.jpg.html][img]http://i1197.photobucket.com/albums/aa432/m ... 59_237.jpg[/img][/url]

My wife loved the Mont Blanc.

Mont Blanc
[url=http://s1197.photobucket.com/user/murphe777 ... 8.jpg.html][img]http://i1197.photobucket.com/albums/aa432/m ... 60_238.jpg[/img][/url]

Petit Fours
Warm milk with Grappa di Moscato
Italian biscotti - Choc Hazelnut, Cornmeal, Cherry Chocolate
Chocolate Truffle, Chocolate Macaroon
Popped Quinoa, with Green Tea and White Chocolate
Grapes
Extra chocolate truffles in a bowl
[url=http://s1197.photobucket.com/user/murphe777 ... 9.jpg.html][img]http://i1197.photobucket.com/albums/aa432/m ... 69_239.jpg[/img][/url]

great post
what was the wine list like here ?
tia

Posted: **Mon Mar 18, 2019 10:59 am**

Good! Below is what I've drunk from the last two visits ( 5 times I've dined there ).

Ask them to send you the list and do have a good yarn to the somm' to pick up the good guff that's not in the media.

I recommend the restaurant once but for Piedmont lovers get out and explore !

[url=http://s236.photobucket.com/user/coronatowe ... 0.jpg.html][img]http://i236.photobucket.com/albums/ff187/co ... C04960.jpg[/img][/url]

[url=http://s236.photobucket.com/user/coronatowe ... 9.jpg.html][img]http://i236.photobucket.com/albums/ff187/co ... G_1059.jpg[/img][/url]

Posted: **Mon Mar 18, 2019 11:02 am**

JamieBahrain wrote:Good!

[url=http://s236.photobucket.com/user/coronatowe ... 0.jpg.html][img]http://i236.photobucket.com/albums/ff187/co ... C04960.jpg[/img][/url]

that aint good Jamie
that's awesome

Posted: **Mon Mar 18, 2019 11:04 am**

I just updated my post Michel.

An issue you may face is the popularity of the region has seen the disappearance of great wine lists ! I was even asked to broker a sale to rich Hong Kong people of an amazing Alba restaurant wine list a family took decades to build. There's more money selling the wines abroad now there's acceptance that young Barolo and Barbaresco is all that's on restaurant wine lists.

Posted: **Mon Mar 18, 2019 11:49 am**

JamieBahrain wrote:I just updated my post Michel.

An issue you may face is the popularity of the region has seen the disappearance of great wine lists ! I was even asked to broker a sale to rich Hong Kong people of an amazing Alba restaurant wine list a family took decades to build. There's more money selling the wines abroad now there's acceptance that young Barolo and Barbaresco is all that's on restaurant wine lists.

cheers Jamie

Posted: **Mon Mar 18, 2019 12:37 pm**

I've also dined at Piazza Duomo and found the food and wine to be excellent. However, Galloni has been critical of wine storage at the restaurant's cellars and again recently recommended that customers choose "young, inexpensive everyday wines" rather than running the risk with older bottles.

Posted: **Mon Mar 18, 2019 1:30 pm**

BHCC1 wrote:I've also dined at Piazza Duomo and found the food and wine to be excellent. However, Galloni has been critical of wine storage at the restaurant's cellars and again recently recommended that customers choose "young, inexpensive everyday wines" rather than running the risk with older bottles.

Surely you'd be sending back the Monfortino if it was cooked or corked!

Posted: **Mon Mar 25, 2019 11:07 am**

michel wrote: great post
what was the wine list like here ?
tia

Thanks! I'm ashamed to say that, although it was very good, at the time I went there I knew very little about Italian wine and hardly took advantage of it.

Hrm looks like photobucket have added watermarks that weren't there before

Posted: **Mon Mar 25, 2019 11:13 am**

photobucket is crap and often hacked.

Need a simple alternative?

Posted: **Mon Mar 25, 2019 12:19 pm**

I use [url]https://postimages.org[/url]. Very easy to use and no account signup necessary.

STEP 1: Upload the images. Click on 'Choose Images' and select one or more images from your computer/phone.
[img]https://i.postimg.cc/15PtsGF4/Post-Images-1.png[/img]

STEP 2: Select how you want the image(s) to appear on Auswine. I usually select 'Thumbnail for forums' and '4 columns' if I have a few images.
[img]https://i.postimg.cc/nhSc4NPQ/Post-Images-2.png[/img]

STEP 3: Copy and paste the code into your Auswine post.
[img]https://i.postimg.cc/kGTkrP8Q/Post-Images-3.png[/img]

And this is an example of the final result. If you click on each thumbnail, you can see the original high resolution image.

[url=https://postimg.cc/DSb20yQ3][img]https://i.postimg.cc/DSb20yQ3/IMG-20181123-193015.jpg[/img][/url] [url=https://postimg.cc/0zLy0J5N][img]https://i.postimg.cc/0zLy0J5N/IMG-20181123-195134.jpg[/img][/url] [url=https://postimg.cc/3WKJ1hh2][img]https://i.postimg.cc/3WKJ1hh2/IMG-20181123-201426.jpg[/img][/url] [url=https://postimg.cc/9RBX28d4][img]https://i.postimg.cc/9RBX28d4/IMG-20181123-203501.jpg[/img][/url]

[url=https://postimg.cc/y3Y18mjL][img]https://i.postimg.cc/y3Y18mjL/IMG-20181123-203850.jpg[/img][/url] [url=https://postimg.cc/crzxd8nc][img]https://i.postimg.cc/crzxd8nc/IMG-20181123-205800.jpg[/img][/url] [url=https://postimg.cc/sQzftdhd][img]https://i.postimg.cc/sQzftdhd/IMG-20181123-211710.jpg[/img][/url] [url=https://postimg.cc/t72RmcRw][img]https://i.postimg.cc/t72RmcRw/IMG-20181123-214136.jpg[/img][/url]

[url=https://postimg.cc/JG07wQGn][img]https://i.postimg.cc/JG07wQGn/IMG-20181123-214158.jpg[/img][/url] [url=https://postimg.cc/kBY4DpkK][img]https://i.postimg.cc/kBY4DpkK/IMG-20181123-220442.jpg[/img][/url]

The Auswine Forum

Barolo

Barolo

Re: Barolo

Re: Barolo

Re: Barolo

Re: Barolo

Re: Barolo

Re: Barolo

Re: Barolo

Re: Barolo

Re: Barolo

Re: Barolo

Re: Barolo

Re: Barolo

Re: Barolo

Re: Barolo

Re: Barolo

Re: Barolo

Re: Barolo

Re: Barolo

Re: Barolo

Re: Barolo