UNESCO World Heritage
On June 22 2014, during the 38th World Heritage Committee Meeting of Doha in Qatar, the viticultural area of Langhe-Roero-Monferrato was designated as UNESCO world heritage site. This was the 50th designated UNESCO site in Italy and the very first viticultural area. The prestigious selection was motivated by the wine culture and beautiful landscape that characterize the area. A landscape modelled by hard human labor dedicated to the cultivation of grapevines and the production of wines.
A testimony to a vital cultural tradition and a unique interaction between man and nature that has lasted over two thousand years. The strive to improve production and varietal selection has made this area world famous for its excellent wines, like Barolo, Barbaresco, Asti Spumante, Barbera d’Asti. A rich patrimony of knowledge, techniques and technologies have helped native grapevines like Nebbiolo, Moscato Bianco and Barbera adapt to local terrains and optimize their products.
The Langa’s landscape is predominantly made up of vineyards. Straight rows of vineyards are meticulously distributed along country roads, village borders, hills and valleys. The very first word associated with the Langa territory is wine. The local cultivation of the grapevine dates back thousands of years and wines from this area have gained worldwide prestige and notoriety over the years. During September and October, vineyards in the area take on a variety of colors: grapes become turgid and full, farmers are busy harvesting the fruits of their labor.
It is Vendemmia time, a joyful and exciting moment for everybody. Hills and vineyards are crowded with people, tractors and wine carts. Grapes are removed from the plant, laid in special baskets and carried to the winery.
The trifolao, the mythical searcher of Alba white truffles that walks secret paths with his faithful companion
Alba white truffles, with their intense and aphrodisiac aromas, adorn the Langa cusine like a precious diamond. Black truffles are also very much present.
Skillful chefs continue Alba’s glorious culinary tradition using this magical delicacy in local restaurants and osterie, preparing dishes like tajarin and agnolotti. Other local products enrich the albese cuisine: products like hazelnuts from which cakes and various desserts are made. Local great wines, like Barolo, never disappoint the enogastronomic palate looking for excellence.