Custom Wine Tours in Northern Italy & more!

Spring is bottling season, fruit trees are in bloom, and vineyards are a vivid green. Dine on asparagus risotto, artichokes and cherries picked fresh from the tree. To drink? Barbera of course. April brings Vinitaly; the largest wine expo worldwide, held in Verona.

Lush and sultry summers call for outside dining. Dolcetto accompanies seasonal treats such as “carpiun”, a marinated meat and vegetable dish eaten cold. Consider a day trip to the Riviera or to the Alps. Either choice is little more than an hour away. Keep fresh while wine tasting in cool underground cellars.

Autumn is the busiest time of year with the “Vendemmia”, or harvest time. The scent of pressed grapes is everywhere. The vineyards are brilliant orange, red and yellow. It is the season for mushrooms and peppers, nuts and figs, and of course, truffles. Alba holds a truffle festival in October. With rich fare such as this, drink Barolo or Barbaresco.

Winter is a time of rest. Snow covered mountains, sleeping vineyards and quiet towns. Dine on polenta and sausage, "bagna cauda", “cotechino” (cooked sausage), or “ Bollito” (pot roast). A table by a fire and a glass of Nebbiolo will keep the chill away. Carnevale is celebrated in February.

Take a trip to Torino for a divine holiday shopping.