To clarify
La Spinetta is a wine producer, not a restaurant, in case it wasn’t clear from the last post. Their wines are outstanding.
La Spinetta
We are having lunch at La Spinetta. I’ve tried 8 wines and love every one of them. (Amy’s notes to follow.) I would particularly recommend the 2008 Vigneto Gallina “Vursu”. Delicious. But the Barolo, 2004 Vigneto Campe “Versu” is so beyond delicious I don’t even have an adjective for it. Oh, yes, and we are having lunch with the cellarmaster and the vineyard manger and “the troublemaker,” the 4 year old daughter of the owner, who is actually quite charming and sweet. Our hostess and translator, Amanda Courtney, is a wonderful guide through the gastronomical path we have taken.
Truffles
It is the beginning of truffle season. There are truffles everywhere and you can smell them as soon as you walk in a room. Last weekend was the truffle festival in Alba and over 100,000 people were here for it.
Coffee
Italian coffee/espresso is infinitely superior to French coffee.
Can’t believe I ate dinner.
After lunch, I thought for sure I was done for the day. But italian food is so tempting! We shared a bottle of barolo and managed to eat grilled octopus (delicious!), cauliflower soup, and lamb/orange meatballs (interesting combo). Amy had sausage-stuffed artichoke and hare on pumpkin gnocchi. And tomorrow is another day….
As if today hadn’t been ridiculously amazing enough, we are now lounging on a balcony and this is our view.
We are staying at a winemaker’s estate for the next few days and expect to post lots of lovely pics of this region.
This is the view from the top of the mountains before heading into the Piedmont region.
Photo of Mediterranean taken while whizzing by on the way to Italy.
More sea views.
Fort near the border.
