What to do and see in Gattinara, Piedmont: The Best Food & Drink

Reviewed By AvvDox - Milan, Italy

This wine producer is a little gem in the area of Gattinara. Run by the enthusiastic owning family (now at the third generation - the founder Giancarlo established the company in 1958), it puts the highest quality in all steps of wine production. We visited the incredibly well-grown vineyards (among other, in a day which allowed us to have a wonderful view of area around, later disclosing Monte Rosa from the clouds) and the cellar, guided by the enthusiastic and highly competent Alessia (one of the founder's nieces). We also experienced an instructive wine tasting of 5 different types of wines. Travaglini Giancarlo main production is based on top quality Gattinara (originated from 100% nebbiolo grapes), comprising the plain Gattinara DOCG (which is per se well above the average of nebbiolo wines), the "riserva" (astonishing for strength and taste) and the delicate "tre vigne" (a special cru from selected vineyards). It also comprises the "entry level" "Cinzia" (named after the daughter of the founder), which is fresher and less formal and can allow "brave" experiments of matching with fish dishes. The productions also includes the "sogno", a remarkable late vintage wine, with some resamblances with the more known "Amarone" of Verona and an astonishing white champagne called "Nebolè", which is a rare case of white sparkling wine created from red grapes nebbiolo. What else? Gluttony is a capital sin, but in my view not visiting this wine producer and not trying its incredible wines is a capital sin, too !!