L'Italo-Americano

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 5 2023 www.italoamericano.org 22 L'Italo-Americano P iemonte, char- acterized by its undulating land- scapes and fertile plains, has a rich agricultural heritage: it is a region known for its radici contadine, or rural roots, where la terra is at the heart of life in all its facets. For generations, the Piemontesi have cultivated their land to produce some of Italy's most renowned wines and chees es, as well as raising calves with the best meat in the country and tirelessly search- i n g f o r t h e m o s t precious truffles. A l b a w e l l e x e m p l i f i e s Piemonte's commitment to t r a d i t i o n , r e s p e c t f o r t h e land, and innovative spirit. Indeed, no place like Alba, perhaps, embodies the spirit of the region so well: walking its streets is like jumping one hundred years back, yet this is perhaps the most interna- tionally connected and inno- v a t i o n - a w a r e p l a c e i n Piemonte, even more so than the region's capital, beautiful, elegant Turin. Just like the hills around it, Alba has a lot of tales to tell. The town's streets, lined with medieval towers and ancient fortifications, offer a glimpse into its storied past: the 11th-century cathedral of Saint Lorenzo, with its Romanesque architecture, stands as a symbol of Alba's religious and cultural signifi- cance, while the medieval Loggia dei Mercanti once served as a hub for traders and merchants, highlighting Alba's economic importance i n b y g o n e e r a s . T h e ancient Via Maestra, now k n o w n a s " V i a V i t t o r i o Emanuele II," has been the center of Alba's social, cultur- al, and economic activities for centuries. This street, with its historic buildings juxtaposed with high-end boutiques, showcases Alba's j o u r n e y f r o m a q u a i n t medieval town to a prosper- ous modern city. And just to let you know, you'll barely find any Albese calling it by its current name: Via Maes- tra is ... Via Maestra. B u t A l b a i s a l s o o f t e n referred to as the gastro- n o m i c h e a r t o f P i e d - mont, and it shouldn't sur- p r i s e u s , c o n s i d e r i n g i t s diverse and delectable culi- nary landscape. The town's global renown for its white truffles, a rare and coveted delicacy, is undisputed: every year, enthusiasts and chefs from around the world flock to the Alba White Truffle Fair, eager to experience this underground gold. The intri- cate process of truffle hunt- ing, always aided by trained dogs, is an age-old tradition that is still very popular in t h e h i l l s o f S o u t h e r n P i e m o n t e ; a n d w h i l e t h e hunt remains rooted in time- h o n o r e d p r a c t i c e s , A l b a embraced innovation and sustainability when it comes to its preservation and com- merce: it's not by chance that, today, Alba truffles can reach every corner of the world without losing any of their fragrant deliciousness. In fact, the town's com- mitment to sustainable and conscious food production and consumption is evident in its support for the Slow Food movement. Founded in the 1980s as a response to the proliferation of fast food, this movement, with its ori- gins in a town not that far from Alba herself, Bra, cham- pions local produce, biodi- versity, and traditional gas- tronomic practices. Besides the large number of busi- n e s s e s t h a t p r o u d l y a n d f o n d l y h a v e a c o n n e c t i o n with the movement thanks to the products they sell or use, the most curious and heart- warming initiative is perhaps t h e S l o w F o o d - endorsed Alba Earth Mar- ket, a platform where local farmers and producers show- case their products, ensuring short supply chains and pro- moting eco-friendly prac- tices. Beyond truffles, the rolling hills of Piemonte are dotted with hazelnut orchards, and produce some of the finest hazelnuts in the world. These h a z e l n u t s f o r m t h e c o r e ingredient of many confec- tioneries, most notably those o f t h e F e r r e r o G r o u p . Founded in Alba, Ferrero's transformation from a quaint pastry shop to a global con- fectionery behemoth, with iconic brands like Nutella a n d F e r r e r o R o c h e r , i s a reflection of Alba's commit- ment to quality and innova- tion. A n d h o w c o u l d w e t a l k about Alba without mention- ing wines? The wines from the Alba region are a true reflection of the area's rich t e r r o i r a n d c e n t u r i e s - o l d winemaking traditions, and local vineyards, particularly those in the Langhe-Roero a n d M o n f e r r a t o z o n e s , are UNESCO World Her- itage sites, underscoring their historical and cultural significance. Barolo and Barbaresco, often referred to as the "king and queen" of Italian wines, are perhaps the most cele- b r a t e d w i n e s f r o m t h i s region: Made from the Neb- biolo grape, they are known for their deep color, rich tan- nins, and complex aromas of cherries, roses, and tar. They are wines that age gracefully, often requiring several years to reach their full potential. B a r b e r a , a n o t h e r r e d grape variety from Southern Piemonte, produces wines that are bright, fruity, and have a characteristic acidity; Barbera d'Alba, in particular, is known for its juicy cherry flavors and its versatility in pairing with a wide range of foods. And then we have Dolcet- to, meaning "little sweet one" in Italian, which is somewhat of a misnomer as the wines produced from this grape are typically dry. Dolcetto d'Alba wines are known for their soft tannins, black cherry, and licorice flavors, making them perfect for early con- sumption. The region also produces e x c e p t i o n a l w h i t e w i n e s , most notably those made from the Arneis grape. The winemakers of Alba, while deeply respectful of their tra- ditions, have also been at the forefront of innovation: mod- ern viticulture techniques, combined with a deep under- standing of the local terroir, ensure that the wines from the Alba region continue to be celebrated on the global stage. Adding to Alba's culinary prestige are establishments like Piazza Duomo and La Piola, helmed by Chef Enri- co Crippa. Piazza Duomo, with its Michelin stars, offers a gastronomic journey that marries local ingredients w i t h i n n o v a t i v e c u l i n a r y techniques. In contrast, La Piola celebrates traditional Piedmontese cuisine, offer- ing a rustic yet refined dining experience. Alba's international repu- tation extends beyond its culinary delights, though. T h e t o w n ' s e m p h a s i s o n q u a l i t y , w h e t h e r i n f o o d , fashion, or craftsmanship, has positioned it as a bench- mark for excellence. Its thriv- i n g e c o n o m y a n d g l o b a l recognition, often overshad- owing even Turin, are a sign of the town's dedication to maintaining high standards in every endeavor. Thanks to its rich heritage and booming economy, Alba has trans- formed into one of Northern I t a l y ' s w e a l t h i e s t t o w n s . Often likened to a "Monte C a r l o i n t h e L a n g h e " b y locals, Alba is a hub of luxury a n d e l e g a n c e : y o u ' l l o n l y need a walk along Via Maes- tra to encounter window dis- plays that rival those of jew- elry shops, showcasing the r e g i o n ' s p r i z e d t r u f f l e s , mushrooms, and chocolates. The people of Alba, the Albe- si, truly understand and cele- brate the treasures that have brought prosperity to their town. Alba, Piazza Risorgimento (Photo: Alessandro Cristiano/Dreamstime); below, a historical parade in Alba's city center (Photo: Rostislav Glinsky/Dreamstime) and truffle tagliatelle, a dish you're likely to find in restaurant menus around town this time of the year (Photo: Marco Temperino/Dreamstime) ALL AROUND ITALY TRAVEL TIPS DESTINATIONS PEOPLE ACTIVITIES Alba, the capital of Langhe FRANCESCA BEZZONE

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