« Back Piedmont, literally meaning ‘the foot of the mountain’, is situated in north west Italy, at the base of the Alps. This historic region, whose capital is Turin, has an enviable worldwide reputation for its food and wine, with the world’s best truffles, Gorgonzola cheese, and Barolo, the ‘wine of Kings’, all produced here. It is a place where tradition and respect are paramount, both in the vineyard and in the kitchen, and where the locals are intensely proud of all that their region stands for. The diet here is rich in seasonal produce, with fresh meat and vegetables forming the basis of Piedmont’s hearty fare along with butter, which seems to feature in everything! The region grows 3/5 of Italy’s rice production, so risotto is a popular dish along with pasta, soups and stews, local cheeses, game and salami and in the autumn, during the truffle season, the cuisine tends to be based around the famed ‘tartufo’. The wines of Piedmont, produced using native vines and mainly single varietals, are unique and therefore very distinctive. The most successful Piedmontese red grape is without a doubt Nebbiolo, the noble variety which produces the famous Barolo and Barbaresco wines. However another local grape which is now starting to enjoy international recognition is Barbera, which can produce characterful, rich red wines with great ageing potential. Our Da Luca Barbera d’Asti is an example of just such a wine.       Click here for recipes originating from Piedmont.