The Langhe

Le Langhe were made a UNESCO World Heritage site for various reasons. One reason - actually, several reasons - have to do with its unique landscape. Hillsides used as vineyards as far as the eye can see, like a painting, reflecting nature's ability to give us outstanding wine thanks to the work of human hands. But the real secret of le Langhe is the properties of the land, which has specific minerals making it ideal for growing certain varieties of grapes. So here we talk about the Moscato d'Asti area, the Barolo area, the Dolcetto and Barbera d'Asti areas...
The different percentages of a combination of clay, marl, bluish marl, tuff, sand and sulphuric gypsum in subsurface layers give wines of excellent structure, finesse and elegance.
The "white soils" of le Langhe are a result of its rising from the sea that covered what is now the Po Valley (16 million years ago) and the compact and solid earth originated in the Miocene era (15 million years ago).
Producing fine wines goes hand in hand with great culture. Famous Italian writers such as Giuseppe Fenoglio and Cesare Pavese described the people of this region, their hopes, their fears, and their lives.
Each town in le Langhe has its own long history, stretching back as far as the Roman period: Alba, the regional capital, was an important strategic and commercial centre alongside Pollentia and Bene Vagienna. In the Middle Ages the various towns were defended from imposing castles, which tourists can visit even now.
Le Langhe are also known for its outstanding cuisine: white truffles from Alba, traditional dishes centred around fresh pasta (tajarin, ravioli al plin), meat-based main courses (stews, roasts) and desserts based on ancient recipes (chocolate pastries, angel wing pastries).
Le Langhe has a centuries-long history of daily life, brought up to date by its lively people who can show tourists different ways of looking at this UNESCO World Heritage Site.