Wine tasting at the medieval fortress of Richetto in Gemma.

Ghemme, Colline Novaresi, Piemonte, Italai

In one of the oldest cities of Piedmont, Gemme, which has more than 3000 years of history since the Celts settled here, there are unusual wineries. The receipt and storage of wine here takes place in medieval castle-cities - Ricetto.  

The cultivation of grapes and the production of wine here were engaged in the times of colonization by the Roman Empire. The Gemme zone is the only one in the Novara Hills (Colline Novaresi) area that received DOCG status in 1997.

I will meet you in Novara or Arona and by car we will go on our enogastronomic journey through vineyards and rice fields. A visit to the cantina and tasting will begin with an excursion to the famous fortress of Ricetto (Castello Ricetto di Ghemme). In the well-preserved  monument of culture and architecture of the XIV century, time stops and visitors fantastically get into the medieval atmosphere, despite the fact that part of the fortress is inhabited by local residents to this day. A walk through the streets, courtyards and lanes of the fortress, which is a quarter measuring 120 x 70 m, where the production blocks of the winery are located,   allows you to see and understand _cc781905-5cde 3194-bb3b-136bad5cf58d_old artisanal methods of working in the production of wine in the company.

The tour lasts about an hour and follows the path of the grapes, which are transformed into the final product, passing through the phases of picking and processing berries, fermentation, aging, bottling and packaging.

At the end of the walk, during an hour-long tasting, you will taste some of the most popular and prestigious wines produced by  company, accompanied by deli meats and cheeses of local production .

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Sample  tasting menu:

1. - Colline Novaresi bianco DOC white wine, “della duja” salame, Piedmontese Grissini bread sticks.

2. - Red wine Colline Novaresi DOC (Nebbiolo/Vespolina), “fidighino” salame, soft pork liver salame, grissini.

3. - Ghemme DOCG red wine, Gorgonzola “dolce” or Toma della Valsesia/Ossolane cheese, grissini.

4. - Passito dessert wine, Gorgonzola  “piccante”  and Biscottino di Novara Camporelli cookies.

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