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Fall food and wine pairings: a trip to Piedmont

This year, for autumn, discover Fontanafredda, an iconic estate in Piedmont, and discover the flagship marriages between seasonal products and wines of character.

Piedmont

Piedmont is located in the northwest of Italy, bordered to the north by the Alps and to the southeast by the Apennines. The region is renowned worldwide for its gastronomy and the diversity of its wines made from indigenous grape varieties such as Nebbiolo , Barbera and Cortese. Its vineyard, which extends as far as the eye can see, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The historic Fontanafredda estate

In the heart of Piedmont, Fontanafredda is a magnificent estate with more than 160 years of history. It all began with a love story, when the first king of Italy, Victor Emmanuel II, offered the estate to the woman he was in love with, Rosa Vercellana. Initially, the 54 hectares of land were reserved for hunting, and this heritage is still reflected at the estate. However, from the 1970s, Emanuele Guerrieri, son of the king, began to make wine there, focusing on quality production, and notably marketed the famous Barolo.

Today, the wine estate has become emblematic of Piedmont, and is also home to a village consisting of a high-end hotel, a starred restaurant, a brasserie, reception rooms and wine tourism experiences.

Fall highlight pairings

As autumn sets in , the rolling vineyard landscapes around Fontanafredda come alive with warm colors, and there is a mystical atmosphere. Nature gradually falls asleep, while the taste buds wake up to the rhythm of seasonal products. Among them, game and white truffles. Choice dishes, which Piedmontese wines sublimate wonderfully. Venison, deer or wild boar, game with a strong flavor, are often prepared with rich sauces. Their flavors blend with the structure, fruity, floral and spicy notes of the Nebbiolo grape variety. Opt for the Fontanafredda “Coste Rubin” Barbaresco 2018 vintage. Hare is a lighter meat, and it is therefore preferable to pair it with a more supple wine such as the Fontanafredda “Raimonda” Barbera d'Alba 2018. Piedmont truffle is a very aromatic dish which goes well with a more advanced wine. The latter highlights it without overwhelming it, and responds to its unique notes of humus. So choose a Fontanafredda Barolo 2015. For a more surprising pairing, try the truffle with a rich and aromatic white wine, made from the Cortese grape variety. The Fontanafredda Gavi di Gavi 2020 vintage is a perfect example. However, if we were to give you advice beyond the rules: the perfect match is above all the one that pleases you.

Fall food and wine pairings: a trip to Piedmont

The favorite selection

Fontanafredda “Raimonda” Barbera d’Alba 2018

Produced from the local Barbera grape variety and from south and south-west facing vines which reach perfect maturity, this wine was aged in French, Slavonic and American oak barrels. A complex cuvée which combines scents of undergrowth and spices with velvety texture and structure.

Fontanafredda Gavi di Gavi 2020

A white with character in the land of reds. An organic, aromatic and rich cuvée, bottled 2 to 3 months after the end of fermentation, it emphasizes the purity of expression of the Cortese grape variety, and reveals intense notes of citrus and white flowers.

Fontanafredda “Coste Rubin” Barbaresco 2018

A powerful and complex wine made from the Nebbiolo grape variety, with structured tannins, intense notes of jammy plum, blueberry and violet, to which are added touches of tobacco and licorice due to aging for 12 months in oak barrels. French.

Fontanafredda Barolo 2015

An exceptional vintage also made from Nebbiolo. A flagship of Piedmont, this Barolo expresses itself with notes of candied fruit, potpourri and smoked spices. A dense and harmonious wine, perfect balance between richness and freshness.

Have you chosen a vintage that you like? To enjoy it in optimal conditions, consult our article on Decantering and Decantering !

The selection