Extremely tasty and relaxing, the hills of Piacenza!
I visited the Podere Casale in Vicobarone Ziano Piacentino. I was welcomed by the family Rigamonti, who has been running this farm since 2000 with their delicious hospitality and quality wines. The estate includes 8 rooms and a pool set in the surrounding gardens.
It was such a pleasure to dive into the swimming pool for a little relax after the visit!
An excellent breakfast with outstanding seasonal products and home-made cakes. And then … a place full of history, which adds more value to this beautiful reality …
The wine production amounts to 40.000 bottles. Among red wines is an excellent Gutturnio – Frizzante and Superiore; white wines include Ortrugo, Malvasia Frizzante and Passito.
Nicolas, the owner, tells me about their history and a special feature of their production, an altar wine made from Malvasia di Candia Aromatica vines. There are very few wineries in Italy that are duly authorised to do so by a special decree of the Diocesan Curia.
This discovery about the wine world makes a difference!
For a lunch or a dinner, close to the farm is an Osteria offering traditional local dishes: Antica Trattoria del Tempio. Here tasting the wines and pairing them with excellent dishes is a unique experience!
The tasting
A delicious experience, typical cold cuts from Piacenza paired with Ortrugo Frizzante, Pisarei e Fasò – local dish consisting of gnocchi and beans – with Gutturnio Frizzante and roasted pork neck with Gutturnio Superiore. The sense of hospitality here is really amazing!
Note: Cold cuts with Ortrugo were so appetising, and we were so hungry, we didn’t have the time to take a photo! This one is from the Podere Casale archives…
Wine Princess suggests
Gutturnio Frizzante is the one that impressed me most! 60% Barbera, 40% Croatina, ruby colour and hints of violet, a fruity scent. Fresh and lively, simple but genuine…
Who should drink it: Those who love light and fresh red wines.
When to drink it: At any time of the day! So pleasant and genuine, it will be perfectly paired with a simple salami sandwich or a rich first course dish.
A wonderful opportunity: A tour to the hills around Piacenza. Podere Casale is the ideal place for a short but extremely enjoyable and relaxing weekend!
God save Podere Casale!