Photo Album

Barolo & Beyond

	Every slope has a vineyard and every town an ancient tower in Piedmont's Barolo zone.
	The Castle of Barolo is the dominant feature in this petite wine town (pop. 681).
	The logo of the Marchesi di Barolo, lords of the eponymous town, who "invented" Barolo wine in the 19th century.
	The 150-year-old barrels where the original Barolo was aged in the cellar of the Marchesi's palace.
	A private lunch at the Marchesi di Barolo winery, spotlighting their wines alongside risotto di Barolo.
	Renato Ratti's new winery uses the latest in green architecture, such as the grass roof over the tasting room.
	A happy guest with Massimo Martinelli (left), co-owner and enologist at Renato Ratti.
	Giacomo Conterno is one of three sons running the esteemed Aldo Conterno winery, a classicist in Barolo wine production.
	Giacomo explains the fine details of the big barrels, or "botte", used for aging classic-style Barolo.
	An artisan cheese farm in the Alte Langhe is our destination for lunch.
	A banquet of fresh mountain cheeses, homemade sausage, fruit, bread and dolcetto wine.
	A view from the cheese farm looking towards the ever-so-majestic Alps.
	Orlando Pecchinino, co-owner of the Pecchinino winery, led the drive towards Dolcetto di Dogliani gaining DOCG status.
	The winery of Elio Altare, a key innovator and mentor in modern-style Barolo.
	Elio Altare's daughter Silvia guides us through their wines, which are among the most sought-after in Piedmont.
	Line 'em up! An orgasmic sight for Barolo lovers at the Elio Altare estate.
	Marco Dotta is in charge of the vineyards at Marchesi di Gresy, a great name in Barbaresco wine.
	Ready for an intensive lesson on Barbaresco at the Marchesi di Gresy.
	A special surprise treat: a 1986 Gaiun Barbaresco cru from the Marchesi di Gresy.
	Mmm-mmm! Lunch features fragrant truffles shaved over eggs and asparagus, paired with Barbaresco.
	Dante Scaglione, the winemaker at Bruno Giacosa, reads atmospheric pressure inside a bottle of Brut.
	A tasting treat: Bruno Giacosa's Barolos and Barbarescos, legendary among enophiles.
	The enologist at Bruno Giacosa checks the nose on a Barolo.
	The former hunting lodge of Piedmont's King Carlo Alberto is now a gastronomic complex that houses the Wine Bank.
	The king's cellars are now filled with wines from around Italy, aging to perfection before release, at La Banca del Vino.
	Enjoying a tour of La Banca del Vino with a glass of vino in hand.
	Barbera's Cinderella story began in this estate, Giacomo Bologna / Braida.
	Giacomo Bologna was the first to age Barbera in oak barrels and treat the workhorse grape with TLC.
	Love at first taste: Brachetto d'Acqui, a sweet, frizzante red dessert wine, that pairs beautifully with chocolate.
	A group from the Society of Wine Educators outside the Ceretto winery.
	The Ceretto winery occupies another hunting lodge of King Carlo Alberto. Here we see the ancient wine cellars.
	Along with the old is the new, such as this plasma-screen slide show at Ceretto.
	Whew! A line-up of Arneis, a Super Piedmont, two Barolo cru, grappa, and...
	...and a lovely Barolo Chinato, an aromatized wine infused with spices, roots, and herbs.
	A breath of fresh air amid the spring-time poppies.
	A trattoria owner serves homemade egg pasta with ragù sauce. In Piedmont, the cuisine is superb at all times of the day.
	The new barrel-aging room at Vietti, equally famous for its Barolo and its Barbera cru.
	Alfredo Currado, the patriarch at Vietti, enjoys mingling with guests as they sample his wines, all top-rated.
	We approve, Mr. Currado!
	Sandrone, one of the top names in Barolo.
	Cannubi Boschis, one of the best vineyard plots for Barolo wine, has been cultivated by Sandrone since the 1970's.
	Luciano Sandrone (standing, left) provides insight into his winemaking philosophy.
	Luciano Sandrone and Claudio Bisio get happy.