Since the last blog posting, we have visited Cinque Terre and Piedmont in Italy. Due to the poor internet access, I have been unable to post images from these travels. I will post photos from Cinque Terre, where we visited last week, at a later date and will skip to our most recent adventure in Piedmont. This region which borders France is best known for its fine, but expensive, Barolo wines. We spent our time here visiting villages near Alba.

June 8-1 This photo I made shortly after we exited the autostrada and entered the wine growing region of Piedmont. This is near the village of Consiglioli d'Asti.

June 8-2

This is Gian Paolo opening a bottle of his Moscato, welcoming us to his albergo, La Bella Estate, in Santo Stefano Belbo.

June 8-3 This was our room at La Bella Estate. Our meal in the restaurant here that first night consisted of nine courses, plus wines.

June 8-6 June 8-4

These are some of the vineyards near the village of Barbaresco. The roses are planted as an early warning of mildew and are a good indicator of the health of the vines.

June 8-5

The wine cooperative in Barbaresco. I finally found my kind of church!

June 8-8 June 8-7 At this wine tasting (enoteca) in Barolo, we had a free tasting from that bottle on the left - a 2008 Barolo selling for 88 Euros. Magnificient!!!

Needless to say, I did not buy a bottle.

June 8-9 Baked mussels, which Veda and Maureen ordered, at The Wine Story, in Castagnole delle Lanze. Yes, the restaurant's name is English. It was owned by James, who is English-Italian.

June 8-10

James's father is the chef at The Wine Story. He is holding the baked shrimp dish that I ordered. All this was accompanied by an excellent Nebiollo.

Thanks to our good friend Jay Schiffman for recommending this restaurant, our accommodations at La Bella Estate, and villages to visit.