Culinary & Wine Tours in Italy

My love affair with Italy began back in 2010 when I first had the chance to visit, thanks to my friend Sebastiano Ramello, whom I met at a wine trade show in Chicago. I had the incredible opportunity to spend three months living in Piemonte just outside Dogliani and worked wine harvest and then in the cantina (winery). I also got to tour around some as well, visiting other wineries in the area, EATING! This started the tradition of gaining at least a kilo every time I'm in Italy for more than a month! Even if you haven't visited Italy yet, you probably already love at least ONE Italian dish and you've probably at least heard of Prosecco and Barolo. Since then, I've gone back to live and work in the Dogliani area and then in Montalcino working with wineries. And in my travel business, I've attended annual trade fairs to develop relationships with wonderful travel partners and have completed many familiarization trips all over the country. This doesn't include my own personal vacations there! Suffice it to say, VIVA ITALIA! So let's talk about wine and food tours...

As someone who has lived in and loves Italy, I can attest to the fact that Italy is a country where food and wine are considered as important as any monuments, museums or natural wonders. Eating well is an essential part of daily life in Italy, and exploring the country's rich culinary culture is a must-have experience for any traveler. What's more, the Italian cuisine is diverse and varies from region to region, which means there are plenty of culinary experiences to be had. It's impossible to cover everything in one simple blog post, but here are some fantastic options to think about when you are pondering food and wine travel in Italy...   

​One of the regions famous for its cuisine is Tuscany. This region is renowned for its hearty soups, ribollita and pappa al pomodoro. Both dishes use stale bread as a base, which then becomes imbued with the flavors of the other ingredients. Tuscany also features top-quality olive oil, cured meats and cheeses, and, of course, wines. In Tuscany, you can visit vineyards and learn about Chianti or Brunello di Montalcino wine production process. Wine tasting accompanied by local products such as cheeses, truffles or meats is a perfect way to experience the flavors of the region.

​Another destination for culinary travel is Emilia-Romagna, which is regarded as one of Italy's culinary capitals. Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese, balsamic vinegar from Modena, and Parma ham are all products that come from here. The region also has a long history of pasta-making, with tortellini, tortelloni, and tagliatelle being among the most famous. In Emilia-Romagna, visit the markets and sample the local specialties, or take part in a cooking class and learn to prepare fresh pasta, sauce, or gelato.

​Speaking of pasta, no culinary trip to Italy is complete without a visit to Rome. The Italian capital in the Lazio region is home to the famous spaghetti cacio e pepe, carbonara, and amatriciana, as well as pizza al taglio sold in bakeries and supplì or rice balls filled with cheese and tomato sauce. Rome is home to a deep culinary traditions and craft shops where you will find an endless variety of pasta, olive oil, wines, and spices.

​Wine is as important to Italy as the food. With so many notable wine regions in the country, it's hard to choose which to visit. Among them, the regions of Piedmont and Veneto stand out, both famous for their red wines. Piedmont is home to the king of Italian wines, Barolo, while Veneto boasts some incredible Amarone, Valpolicella, and the famous Prosecco. In Piedmont, you can visit small towns, visit and taste wines of Gattinara, Barbaresco, or Barolo in a charming traditional winery. In Veneto, you can take tours of vineyards, visit the cellars of the wines labeled Prosecco DOC or take an afternoon ride through the vineyards. Italy offers a kaleidoscope of culinary experiences, from the Roman and Tuscan cuisine to the pasta in Emilia-Romagna and the wines of Veneto and Piedmont.

Food and wine travel in Italy is a journey that is both satisfying to the palate and enlightening to the soul. Come with an open mind and a healthy appetite (and maybe some stretchy pants!) So, if you are considering traveling to Italy, be sure to consider culinary and wine experiences. The memories created through the appreciation of Italian culinary and wine excellence will remain with you forever. 

Let's make a plan! Contact me to beging your culinary and wine journey today.

​Cheers!