Piemonte

Judging by Piemonte’s rich and refined cuisine, the fact that this northwestern region shares a border with France is quite clear. Famous for noble wines like Barolo and Barbaresco, Piemonte (once home to the Savoy dynasty) also boasts a cuisine suitable for royalty. Perfectly suited for the region's cold and snowy winters, Piemonte’s hearty cooking features treasures from the alps and the Appenine mountains. Prized white truffles and porcini abound in everything from egg dishes and risotto made from locally grown rice to a dish of fresh hand-cut pasta. More than any other region, Piemonte's cheeses are unctuous and creamy. Piemonte is also know for its hazelnuts which factor prominently in the region’s extensive repertoire of desserts, especially gianduja, the hazelnut chocolate which is a favorite in all of Italy.