Piedmont's great wine country, the Langhe hills around Alba, lies south-east of Turin, which is 256 km or about 3 h 10 by road from Geneva Airport, so the Langhe are a long but straightforward drive through the Mont Blanc Tunnel and the Aosta Valley. Here the Nebbiolo grape gives Barolo and Barbaresco, two of Italy's most respected red wines, and a chauffeur from AirportsTransfers.ch can take you from your flight to the vineyards and between cellars.
- Getting there: via the Mont Blanc Tunnel and Turin, crossing the border into Italy
- Heartland: the Langhe hills around Alba
- Great reds: Barolo and Barbaresco, from Nebbiolo
- Everyday reds: Barbera and Dolcetto
- Best season: autumn, for the harvest and the white truffle
The Langhe landscape
The Langhe are a sea of steep, rolling hills covered with vineyards and crowned by villages, castles and church towers. Together with the neighbouring Roero and Monferrato, the vineyard landscapes of the area are listed by UNESCO as a World Heritage site, recognising centuries of winemaking tradition. In autumn, mist often fills the valleys in the morning, leaving the hilltops in sunshine, a sight that has given its name to the Nebbiolo grape, from nebbia, the Italian word for fog. Alba, the main town, has a lively historic centre with medieval towers and is the commercial heart of the region. The rolling roads between villages offer constant views, and each hilltop reveals another panorama of vines stretching towards the Alps on clear days.
Barolo and its villages
Barolo is produced in a group of villages south-west of Alba, including Barolo itself, La Morra, Castiglione Falletto, Serralunga d'Alba and Monforte d'Alba. Each village gives a slightly different style, from the perfumed, elegant wines associated with La Morra to the more powerful, structured wines of Serralunga. Barolo is made from Nebbiolo and must be aged for several years before release, giving complex wines with aromas of rose, tar, cherry and spice, and firm tannins that soften with time. The village of Barolo has a castle housing a wine museum, and La Morra, set high on a ridge, has a terrace with one of the best views over the vineyards. Many estates welcome visitors, from family cellars to larger historic houses, and a tasting often includes older vintages to show how the wine evolves.
Barbaresco and beyond
North-east of Alba, Barbaresco is the other great Nebbiolo wine, produced around the villages of Barbaresco, Neive and Treiso. It is often described as more approachable when young than Barolo, while sharing its finesse and ageing potential. The village of Barbaresco is small and charming, dominated by a medieval tower, and Neive is one of the most picturesque hilltop villages in the area. Beyond the two famous names, the Langhe produce Barbera, a juicy red with lively acidity, Dolcetto, a soft and fruity everyday wine, and Langhe Nebbiolo, a younger style. Across the Tanaro river, the Roero is known for Arneis, a fragrant white. The Moscato d'Asti area, to the east, produces lightly sparkling, sweet wines that are a perfect end to a meal.
Planning a chauffeured trip
The Langhe are best explored slowly, with two or three tastings a day and long lunches. Many estates receive visitors by appointment, so booking in advance is wise, especially in autumn, the busiest season, when the harvest coincides with the white truffle season and Alba's well-known truffle fair. Spring and early summer are calmer and greener, with pleasant temperatures for walking in the vineyards. The roads are narrow and winding, villages are on hilltops with limited parking, and Italian drink-driving rules are strict, so a chauffeur makes everything easier. Some travellers break the drive from Geneva with a stop in the Aosta Valley or in Turin, which has a fine historic centre, before continuing to the Langhe.
Booking your Piedmont trip with AirportsTransfers.ch
For a wine trip to Piedmont, book your transfer online with AirportsTransfers.ch, from Geneva Airport to your hotel in Alba or the Langhe, with the return at the end of your stay. The fixed price per vehicle is shown before payment by card, Apple Pay or Google Pay, and does not change if traffic is slow. Your chauffeur tracks your flight, meets you in arrivals with a name sign and waits at no extra charge if your flight is late. For this long journey, an S-Class offers the quietest ride, while a V-Class takes up to seven passengers with luggage and wine purchases; child seats are available on request. Companies receive invoices. Reach the team on +41 78 346 56 77, by phone or WhatsApp, 24/7.
