The
region boasts cheeses subtle and sharp, creamy and dense,
crafted in equal parts by favorable natural conditions
and human ingenuity. Stars include the Toma of Piedmont,
among eight Castelmagno regional DOP cheeses whose quality
is recognized and protected by the government. Piedmont's
divine Tonda Gentile, hazelnut, a uniquely sweet variety
so special that it has been award European Union Protected
Geographic Indication status - a sort of food patent
that separates it from inferior imposters. It is the
centerpiece of Nutella, the hazelnut and chocolate spread
that has become a worldwide favorite, as well as the
central ingredient in the regional hazelnut torte -
not to mention ice creams and other confections.
Piedmont
also nurtures the grapes that make the region one of
the world's best wine producers. Of Italy's 20 regions,
Piedmont leads the pack in number of wines that meet
the exacting standards to be awarded DOCG (Denominazione
di Origine Controllata e Garantita) status, including
bold red Barolos; complex, dry, Gattinaras and sweet,
lighthearted white Astis.
Year-Round
Beauty
Piedmont's Lake District provides breathtaking vistas
and rejuvenating waters. The great Lake Maggiore, the
smaller Lake Orta, both just 90 minutes from Torino,
shimmer like the most exquisite precious stones. The
lush loveliness of gardens, trees and scenery are fitting
backdrops to the splendor of the lakes, while perfectly
preserved villas, luxurious modern resorts and charming
fishing villages that have changed little over the centuries.
Piedmont's
stunning parks and mountains, and the region's wide,
untouched valleys, lakes and rivers, offer world-class
hiking, mountain climbing, kayaking, rowing, cycling,
paragliding, horseback riding and five of the top ten
golf resorts in Italy. The Alpine valleys close to Torino
- Lanzo, Susa, Chisone, Germanasca and Pellice - are
ideal for both day hikes and lengthy treks, taking visitors
as far as the Gran Paradiso, Italy's oldest national
park.
The
Olympic Mountain Range is a lush paradise for sports
enthusiasts and amblers, with tough rock faces for climbers.
Other outdoor activities include canoeing, rafting,
hiking scenic wooded trails, lush valleys and pristine
lakes. Piedmont's dramatic wilderness also stretches
far beyond the greater Torino area, with parks such
as Alpe Devero inviting visitors to hike through pastures
and grasslands to the Devero Lake, nestled in a mountain
basin shaped by glaciers in the northern part of Piedmont,
near Switzerland.
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