There are so many Italian regions that are famous for culinary delights. Tuscany, but of course also Emilia-Romagna, South Tyrol, Veneto, Sicily or even Friuli are the first names that come to mind. At first, Piedmont is not necessarily on one’s mind. But that’s wrong at the same time – and a great opportunity.
Because it was precisely this Piedmont, geographically bordered by the Aosta Valley, Switzerland, France, Liguria, Emilia-Romagna and Lombardy, that Ines Stosic chose as her new home just over a year ago. And as a new place of activity for Piemontalia, an agency specialized in the organization of small group and individual tours. In addition to yoga trips and guided bike tours, you can also discover the culinary Piedmont together with Ines and close this supposed gap in education with pleasure.
The spectrum of Piedmontese cuisine is incredibly rich and goes far beyond the classics of bagna cauda and all varieties of truffles. In the Bocca Cookbook alone, my new reference book for the cuisine of the Italian regions, there will soon be 20 recipes from Piedmont. From lardo with walnuts to bollito misto and pandoro con zabaione, the culinary horizon ranges. At least. Influences from the nearby Mediterranean, the mountains and the vast hilly countryside flow into the traditional dishes of the region.
It is precisely these culinary delights, in combination with carefully selected locations and conscious movement, that make every trip an unforgettable experience, according to the credo of Ines and her team. The people and the well-preserved traditions of Piedmont are always the main focus of interest.
If you now have an appetite for this region, you can get to know it in a special way in October. Just in time for the start of truffle season, Piemontalia offers a trip that would also appeal to me. This leads, among other places, to Pollenzo, the center of the Slow Food movement and the seat of the University of Gastronomic Sciences, absolutely dedicated to good taste.
Starting from Pollenzo, the program includes a week of interesting and above all culinary stops, such as a truffle hunt in the forests of the region or a hike through the picturesque vineyards around Barolo and La Morra. Always accompanied by tastings of good wines and local specialties. A visit to the truffle fair must not be missed on this occasion, of course.
The trip will take place from 16.10. – 23.10.2014 and who wants to secure one of the few places, should book quickly, because October is high season in Piedmont.
Incidentally, Germanwings has also discovered Piedmont for itself since the beginning of the year and offers cheap flights to Turin from various German airports.