Piedmont between culture and wine, a story of love and art

Proceeding south, let’s head to La Morra, a terrace surrounded by vines. It is worth stopping at the Cantina Sociale (Wine Cooperative) to taste all – or nearly all! – the wines of this area. Not far away is the Chapel of the Brunate, a colorful and very small church of the early 20th century, which is located on top of a hill from which the view extends over the surrounding vineyards. The church, also called Cappella del Barolo (the Barolo Chapel), has never been consecrated and in 1999 the artists Sol Lewitt and David Tremlett painted it giving it its current appearance, demonstrating the fact that this territory is rich in history but also holds nuggets of contemporary art. Opposite is an example of architectural design, the Astemia Pentita cellar, a playful name meaning “the repentant teetotaler”. “Astemia” because Sandra Vezza was one before dedicating her life to wine. The architectural and aesthetic project is by the architect Gianni Arnaudo. The building is surrounded only by rows of vines, without any fence, and is characterized by two large overlapping volumes reproducing two huge crates of wine.

Finally, a few kilometers away the medieval town of Cherasco is bursting with lots to see for both children and adults. The Museum of Magic will captivate children, while adults will be attracted by the historic center with the Sanctuary of the Madonna del Popolo, the ancient synagogue and Palazzo Salmatoris, which hosts numerous exhibitions of modern art with the works of painters from all over Europe, such as Picasso, De Chirico, Magritte and Romano Reviglio, from Cherasco. Do not forget a stop at the pastry shop to taste the famous “Baci di Cherasco”, chocolates made with hazelnuts, cocoa and vanilla.

A little further south the municipality of Verduno reserves a special taste: the Pelaverga, a red grape variety that is grown only here, so its production is very limited. This red wine is fruity, with hints of strawberry and floral. At the top of the village you can taste it in a wine shop right on the square. On the other side of the square the public gardens are a real terrace on the Langhe: the view ranges from Alba, the city of the valley floor, to Grinzane Cavour with its beautiful castle on the hill, to La Morra and Barolo.