Interesting gastronomic ideas in Monferrato among wines, meats, typical products and e-bike excursions
Autumn is approaching: the season of falling leaves, roasted chestnuts, mushrooms, pumpkin soup, but also the harvest and red wines. In autumn we return to organizing lunches in farmhouses in the countryside, to enjoy good food and the company of friends.
An interesting destination could be Agliano Terme, a small Piedmontese village nestled among the Monferrato vineyards, declared a World Heritage Site by Unesco. Here Barbera d’Asti reigns supreme.
Agliano Terme is among the countries with the largest area cultivated with this vine: 144 wineries, 650 hectares of vineyards in total and about 1600 inhabitants.
It is possible to organize tastings in the cellar directly from the producers. Three types of wine: Barbera d’Asti, Barbera d’Asti Superiore and Il Nizza.
To book a tasting, just go to the Barbera Agliano website and consult the complete list of producers.
And what better occasion to discover such a rich territory than a long weekend in Monferrato?
Many gastronomic products, for many a single denominator, Barbera d’Asti, a wine that is also used for the production of cured meats, pasta, desserts and signature cocktails.
Typical products and what to buy
Cured meat
Delicatessen Scam
In this historic laboratory it will be possible to buy real specialties: the culatello of Agliano, the traditional cooked salami of the Monferrato Astigiano, the drunken salami with Barbera d'Asti, the salami with truffles, lard with herbs, rolled and battened pancetta.
Fresh meat and pasta
Ponzo Butcher
There are many specialties not to be missed, such as the fassone sausage, prepared with lean meat, the raw battuta of fassone with a knife and the vitello tonnato.
Tripe in boxes, from an ancient family recipe, to be enjoyed sliced, seasoned with oil, salt and pepper.
And then agnolotti del plin, square, stuffed with meat from the butcher's shop or with various other types of filling, with different vegetables, depending on the season (artichokes, asparagus, borage, pumpkin, spinach, herbs, leeks, combined with Piedmont hazelnuts and with Raschera DOP cheese).
Tagliatelle alla Barbera, with the Barbera of the producers of Agliano in the dough.
Desserts
Renzo Pastry Bar
Paradise for gourmands, with a series of cakes and biscuits such as Baci di Agliano, Barbera cake (Barbera and chocolate among the ingredients in the dough and chocolate ganache coating), delights of Agliano with Gianduia and with rum, the Tira (sweet focaccia with raisins).
Alciati bakery
To try Carlo Alberto's bread (naturally leavened, available on Sundays and, upon reservation, other days), an ancient recipe with walnuts, anchovies and flour.
A historical anecdote: it seems that in the time of Charles Albert of Savoy this bread was used to feed the army troops in times of war.
Cocktail & Co.
La Dolce Vigna Wine Bar
Try the Barbera on the Rocks cocktail: Barbera, vodka, Cointreau, red fruit syrup and ice.
Sport & Nature
It is possible to organize excursions, trekking and e-bike routes.
Six trekking routes, developed in collaboration with the CAI of Asti, for a total of 35 km between the Unesco vineyards, interesting stages between the villages of Agliano and the cellars of the producers (on the site, in the Routes section you can download the maps) .
For those who prefer cycling, enjoyable trips to explore the area by e-bike, at a cost of 25-35 euros for half a day or 35-45 for a full day, depending on the type of bicycle. Different degrees of difficulty for excursions.
Info and contacts: Terme Bike
Where to sleep
Naturally Wine Resort, with swimming pool, surrounded by vineyards, located in a hamlet of Agliano.
La Maggiorina Case Vacanze, charming apartments in the historic center of the town, managed by Anja and Jan, a Norwegian couple who decided to settle in Agliano.
In the historic center of Agliano, La Locanda San Giacomo, a nineteenth-century residence with six rooms.
Cascina del Rosone, recently purchased by a Norwegian couple, who manage the structure (which has two apartments) and produce Barbera in amphora. Splendid location among the vineyards.
Agriturismo C’era Una Volta, in a hamlet of Agliano: produces wine (including Barbera) and beer; the restaurant offers Piedmontese cuisine upon reservation. 7 rooms available.
Agriturismo Cascina Dani, has a restaurant and some rooms available for guests; Agriturismo il Coniglio Bianco, with rooms and apartments, both located in a hamlet of Agliano.
For those who prefer to dedicate themselves to relaxation and well-being, a day at the Agliano spa.
Agliano Terme it is the seat of a thermal establishment that rises where an ancient source of salty-sulfur-magnesian water flows, the Fons Salutis, discovered in 1770. It flows at a depth of 42 meters, at a temperature of 12.8 degrees and is considered a of the most complete thermal waters in Italy, with healing properties.
Info and reservations: Terme di Agliano
Since 2014 an important appointment for the Barbera di Agliano, in collaboration with the Norwegian team of Bocuse d'Or, the Barbera Fish Festival, an event dedicated to the encounter between Barbera d’Asti and Norwegian cod. The next edition is scheduled for 8-10 October 2021.
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