Ciao bellas!
Being in Italy the last twelve days or so has been like a dream. I’ve had made some awesome friends, tried amazing food, and drank even better wine! Castiglione Falletto, the town I’ve been in for the past few days, is right in the middle of wine country and it’s absolutely gorgeous! There are literally vineyards everywhere, which means there’s basically a winery at every corner. Believe it or not, I visited a total of four wineries within three days!
The first winery I stopped at the other day was Gigi Rosso’s, famous for their Barolo wine. It was so interesting hearing about the history behind their families’ winery and how they pride themselves on one-hundred percent hands on labor for maximum quality. It definitely showed in their wine too! I even ordered a few bottles to be shipped back home because I simply could not resist! They were all so delicious!
The next two wineries I visited were in a neighboring town called Barbaresco. One was a newer building and was much more commercialized, while the other was another family owned winery. There were beautiful views over looking the vineyards and rolling hills from the courtyard of the Barbaresco Co-Op, however, I found their wines to be a bit too heavy for my liking. The next was Gigi Bianco’s winery which was owned and operated by a single family, nestled right in the middle of the most charming town. The cobblestone streets, flower covered balconies, and grand cathedrals really added to the authenticity. After talking to the owners, I could tell immediately how passionate they both were about their work. I was so sad to leave.
The final winery I visited was about a thirty minute drive from the hotel in Castiglione. The small town was called Barolo, and they specialized in, of course, Barolo wine, just like Gigi Rosso’s. This town was also very beautiful, complete with bright, blooming roses and even a castle! The woman leading the tasting was very knowledgable. She explained how different soils here in the Piedmont region of Italy can cause a different taste in the wine. Sandier soil makes for a lighter taste, while soil that is heavier with clay, will have a more dense taste.
Visiting all of the different wineries here in Italy has made me want to seriously start up a wine collection. I think it would be so cool to one day have a few bottles that date back several years, or even collect bottles from different countries. It’s definitely something I’m going to consider!
xo
