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Casale Monferrato is the starting point for an itinerary to discover the wildest and least known lands of Monferrato; an area full of history, art, culture and nature; in continuous competition with the Langhe and Roero and part of UNESCO World Heritage Sites. The villages, vineyards and castles that are located in Monferrato, a hilly area between Asti and Alessandria, enrich the panorama that gives great charm. The smoothest road is the state road 457 that leads to Asti, but there are numerous alternatives to go into the territory. The area is the origin of noble wines and genuine flavors, this itinerary is an opportunity to get to know them in the cellars, in the trattorias, in the farmhouses scattered among the hills and villages.
“Asti is in the heart of the Monferrato area and is a city worthy of a visit, having at least half a day available.”
The historic center reflects the medieval structure, you can walk on corso Alfieri, which cuts the city from East to West. It is known all over the world for its wines, such as Asti spumante, but also for the famous historical Palio, one of the oldest events in Italy which takes place in September and which culminates in a horses race ride bareback.
By continuing your trip in Monferrato, along the way you can see the villages of San Giorgio Monferrato and Ozzano with their castles from a distance. Treville is worth a detour, otherwise continue to Moncalvo, home to a curious donkey Palio. The surrounding landscape is immersed in the Monferrato hills: Calliano and Castell’Alfero.
If you have ever dreamed of living in a real castle you should at least visit the Gabiano Castle, where you can settle for the night or stop for lunch/dinner. There are documents that testify the presence of this castle since the 8th century. Today Giacomo Cattaneo Adorno, the last Marquis of Gabiano, together with his wife Emanuela, are leading an intense quality wine production with a wine company that extends over the territory of Gabiano for 260 hectares of which 20 are destined for vineyards.
Basso Monferrato, like the rest of the area, is also dedicated to wines, noble reds and whites, but here there is also another protagonist: the grappa. Altavilla Monferrato is a sort of reference point for grappa distilleries.
The Antica Distilleria Mazzetti di Altavilla organizes guided visits to the museum-factory to discover the secrets of the local grappa production process and to taste its flavors.
Cella Monte and Moleto are built on sandstone hills where the infernot were born for the first time. Do you know what they are? These are small caves dug under the houses where, not only were wine and food stored, but they were also a kind of meeting place for drinking wine and meeting with family and friends. The infernot are present in all the houses in the area, but with the arrival of well-being they were forgotten. Today they are going through a phase of rediscovery as places to visit, guardians of a popular tradition.
The Monferrato area is a “sea of hills“, very sweet or steep, plenty of woods and vineyards as far as the eye can see, the plains are made suggestive by the flooded rice fields, the Po river that flows between them give the relaxing rhythm of its waters: don’t miss them!
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