Etna & Barolo: Sicilian institutions and producers guests in the Langhe on the occasion of the Truffle Fair
On the occasion of the 94th edition of the Alba International White Truffle Fair, Strada del Barolo e grandi vini di Langa and Ente Fiera Internazionale del Tartufo Bianco d’Alba, in collaboration withEnte Turismo Langhe Monferrato Roero, Barolo & Castle Foundation and Enoteca Regionale del Barolo, are promoting a cultural exchange with a wine-growing area of great charm: from November 15 to 17, 2024, a delegation of institutions and winemakers from the Consorzio Tutela dei Vini Etna Doc will be guests in the Langhe to take part in a series of high-level activities, with the aim of starting a collaboration with a territory that is experiencing a phase of great growth, thanks to its wines – increasingly sought-after and appreciated by wine critics – and its enormous potential tourism.
«In the last three years we have started important collaborations with the French wine regions of Champagne and Burgundy and with Sonoma and Napa Valley, two of the most important wine producing areas in California – explains the Director of the Strada del Barolo Daniele Manzone – and this year we have decided to propose a similar initiative, again together with the Ente Fiera del Tartufo, inviting a delegation of producers and institutions of Etna Doc, a territory that has come to light in recent years, attracting the attention of critics and connoisseurs from all over the world and also attracting many producers, who came from outside the region to invest in the volcanic soil vineyards. This operation is fully in line with the spirit of our association, which is to create knowledge, relationships and friendships with other territories, with which we share the same values of excellence. Barolo producers are particularly interested in establishing relationships and sharing experiences with other producers, we, as an association for the promotion of the territory, aim to create relationships between bodies and institutions and therefore hope for the beginning of an effective collaboration both in the wine field and in the high-level wine tourism field, comparing ourselves with national and international partners on how to promote wine intelligently and how to attract tourists in an innovative and experiential way».
The Sicilian delegation will be led by Seby Costanzo, Deputy Director of the Consorzio Tutela dei Vini Etna Doc and owner of the Cantine di Nessuno winery, and will include Gina Russo, President of the Strada del Vino e dei Sapori dell’Etna and owner of the Cantine Russo, Francesco Ferreri, Delegate Councilor for incoming activities for Donnafugata and President of Coldiretti Sicilia, Alberto Aiello Graci, owner of the renowned Graci winery and partner together with the Gaja family of the IDDA winery, Marco Nicolosi, Oenologist and Production Director at the historic Barone di Villagrande winery, and Claudio Di Maria, Head Sommelier at the Murgo winery, recently awarded as the best sommelier in Sicily by the Italian Sommelier Association.
On Friday, November 15, upon their arrival, guests will be greeted by representatives of the Strada del Barolo and the Ente Fiera del Tartufo at the Roddi Castle for a welcome toast with a glass of Alta Langa Docg. A truffle hunting session with a dog is scheduled to follow. In the afternoon, the delegation will take part in a presentation of the Langhe wine-growing area, followed by a tasting of Barolo at the Enoteca Regionale del Barolo. At 5:00 pm, a guided tasting with an introduction to Etna wines is scheduled, curated by the Consorzio Tutela dei Vini Etna Doc and Etna winemakers. In the evening, a friendship dinner is scheduled at the Tota Virginia restaurant, with representatives of Etna Doc and a group of Barolo producers who will present their wines paired with the various courses.
On Saturday 16 November, after welcoming the delegation at the Alba Town Hall, in the Temple of the Wine Tourist, at the WiMu – Wine Museum in Barolo, the conference-round table “Food and Wine Tourism from the Langhe to Etna – sharing experiences, evolution of demand and positioning strategies in two high-level territories” is scheduled, moderated by Daniele Manzone, Director of the Strada del Barolo and great wines of Langa, in which the following will speak: Bruno Bertero, General Director of the Langhe Monferrato Roero Tourism Board and the Association for the Heritage of the Wine Landscapes of Langhe-Roero and Monferrato, Stefano Mosca, Director of the Alba International White Truffle Fair Board, Francesca Garbaccio, Board Member of the Strada del Barolo and great wines of Langa, Francesco Ferreri, Councilor delegate for Donnafugata incoming activities and President of Coldiretti Sicilia, Gina Russo, President of the Strada del Vino e dei Sapori dell’Etna.
In the early afternoon of Saturday, the Etna delegation will visit the World Truffle Market and at 4:30 pm, again in the “Temple of the Wine Tourist”, at the WiMu – Wine Museum in Barolo, the Masterclass “Etna & Barolo: in praise of time and those who respect it” will be held, led by Sandro Minella and Claudio Di Maria, with a guided tasting of 8 wines:
- Barone di Villagrande – Etna Bianco DOC Superiore 2021
- Cantine di Nessuno – Etna Bianco DOC “Milice” 2018
- Graci – Etna Rosso DOC “Arcurìa Sopra il Pozzo” 2017
- Cantine Russo – Etna Rosso DOC “Rampante” 2014
- Giovanni Rosso – Barolo DOCG Cerretta 2019
- La Biòca – Barolo DOCG Ravera 2016
- Fratelli Alessandria – Barolo DOCG Monvigliero 2015
- Giacomo Borgogno e Figli – Barolo DOCG Cannubi Riserva 2011
Tickets for the Masterclass are on sale at the website fieradeltartufo.org.
In the evening, an Etna & Barolo Gala Dinner will be held at the Roddi Castle premises, curated by starred chef Fabio Ingallinera of the Il Nazionale restaurant in Vernante (CN), who will propose a menu with Alba White Truffle specially designed for the occasion and served with various labels of Barolo Docg and Etna Doc: tickets are on sale at the website fieradeltartufo.org.
On Sunday, November 17, the Sicilian guests will be guided on a Tour of the Barolo Crus and will visit some of the wineries associated with the Strada del Barolo.o
