Grinzane Cavour

Grinzane Cavour lies just below Alba and is completely dominated by its medieval castle. It is one of the best-known sights of the Langhe and part of the UNESCO World Heritage site.

Since 1916 the village has carried the name of Camillo Benso, Count of Cavour. From 1830 he stayed at the castle, and from 1832 to 1849 he was mayor of Grinzane. In 1861 he became the first prime minister of Italy. On his estate, experiments were carried out with dry, longer-aged wines from Nebbiolo, first with General Staglieno and later with the Frenchman Louis Oudart. Today the castle houses the Enoteca Regionale Piemontese Cavour, founded in 1967, and a museum. Every year in early November, the world auction of the Alba white truffle is held here.

Grinzane Cavour has eight Barolo MGAs: Castello, Gustava, Garretti, Canova, Raviole, Borzone, Bablino and La Corte. Castello and Gustava lie directly below the castle. Barolos from Grinzane are generally accessible and elegant, with floral notes and fine tannins. They are not powerhouses like those from Serralunga d'Alba.

Interesting cantina in Grinzane Cavour:
Bruna Grimaldi.

What to do in Grinzane Cavour:

• visit the castle and taste or buy wine at the Enoteca Regionale, with a selection from the whole region
• the village itself is mainly the handy shopping street of the appellation: ideal for groceries between winery visits
• take a look at the Enoteca del Ponte wine shop
• eat pizza among the locals at Pizzeria Bargiglio