Italy Trip Day Two -- In the Land of Nutella and Truffles

We're using Alba as our base of operations for three days in the Piedmont region of Italy. The foothills of the Alps are rich in culture and horticulture. Alba, known for white truffles, peaches and wine, is the home of Nutella, that hazelnut and chocolate concoction that surprises and delights the uninitiated. The slow food movement, an effort to combat the hold fast food has on so many people around the world, started in the Piedmont in 1986. Now boasting over 100,000 members in 132 countries, slow food activists fight to preserve the old ways of growing, cooking and enjoying food.

Today we visited Pio Cesare winery for a tour and tasting. Jairo, our funny and charming guide, took us through the 300 year old building with the family wine operation that's been in residence for 130 years. We love wine tours, but this one with all the history was fascinating. Four generations of the Pio family have been making wine in this same building, and the operation has grown to 400,000 bottles sold a year. Lots of remodeling has been required and it hasn't been easy--there's a Roman wall that the family must work around in doing renovations.

A short drive through the lush countryside took us to Barolo where we had lunch at La Cantinella. Risotto, handmade pasta with forty egg yolks, and gnocchi were among the dishes we enjoyed. Our wine was a flinty Dolcetto from the region.

At our visit to the Wine Library in Pollenzo this afternoon, we learned about the efforts of the Slow Food movement to save and protect the wines of Italy. With over 100,000 bottles in their cellar, they have wines representing every region of the country.

Today Karla wore her coral colored ruched t-shirt, a white tank, and white capris with sandals and a colorful striped scarf. You can see her in the group photo at the overlook in La Morra, the highest town in the Langhe.