Wine

Piemonte is Italy’s western-most wine growing region, bordering Switzerland and France. Although it ranks eleventh among regions in total production, Piemonte has the most DOC and DOCG zones in Italy. A region of great innovation and spirit, Piemonte wine producers have enormous respect for craftsmanship, tradition and history.

Piemontese growers were among the first to experiment with international grapes in the early 19th century, such as Pinot Noir (known as Pinot Nero in Italy), Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. At Marchesi Incisa della Rocchetta, we continue to blend these varieties with our native grapes. We call these blends Super Piemontese.

Outside of the Monferrato Hills of Asti (where Rocchetta Tanaro is located), there are two other important wine making regions. Roero (where Arneis and Nebbiolo are grown) and Langhe (where Nebbiolo produces Barolo and Barbaresco wines). However, the most dramatic advance in vine growing and winemaking is with the Barbera grape (Alba and Asti), which after decades of being considered simple or common, has quickly taken the spotlight.

Exceptional white wines in Piemonte include the fragrant and zesty Arneis, the best of which is sourced from the region of Roero, and the lush and citrusy Gavi, a DOCG wine that bears the name of the village where it’s produced. Gavi is made with the Cortese grape, which tastes much like a good Burgundy white.

Cheese

Because of the region’s wide highlands and plains, milk production is an important activity for Piemonte farms. The manufacture of cheese from local milk is an important traditional activity within the region.

Pair Piemonte's world-class wines with our region's local formaggi. A nirvana for cheese lovers, Piemonte produces some of the best cheese in Italy and perhaps in the world.  Some are well known and some obscure, but over 50 varieties of traditional cheese is produced here alone. Many of these varieties have been granted the coveted European Union Denomination of Protected Origin, or DOP. Fortunately, many of the cheeses here are available in the United States and other countries at gourmet markets and cheese shops.

Some of the most popular DOP cheeses include:

• Robiola di Roccaverano DOP
• Taleggio DOP
• Gorgonzola DOP
• Murazzano DOP
• Toma Piemontese DOP
• Bra DOP
• Castelmagno DOP
• Raschera DOP

Truffles

It is the stuff of legend and mystery, and smells like earth, tree roots and the feet of angels. The white truffle, which in Piemontese is called trifola, is famous for its aroma, taste and aphrodisiac qualities.  People look for it after sunset and ancient legends tell how, on moonlight night, the masche, a Piemontese fairy witch, can give directions to the searcher and his dog to find the hiding places of gigantic truffles.

For centuries people have traveled from near and far just to savor a little piece of this exotic and prized culinary experience.  It is a gastronomical jewel only to be experienced at its fullest intensity in Piemonte, specifically around Alba.

From September until December the white truffle is harvested from its earthy home in the hills of the Langhe and Monferrato.  The white truffle is a hypogean fungus, living entirely underground, ensconced among the roots’ trees, and those among the oaks are the most sought after by the trifulau (truffle hunter) and their dog.  If you want to taste a truffle in its moment of full flavor and aromatic intensity, it is best to come to Alba, or other towns in the Langhe and Monferrato, all within a short distance from Marchesi Incisa winery.