Piemonte is a region in the extreme north west of Italy bordering Switzerland and France. This is a large wine producing area and includes the forests at the foothills of the Alps from which come truffles, mushrooms and game. Rice, including high quality risotto rice, and maize are produced on the fertile plains of the Po river. It includes Alba, Novara, Vercelli, Torino, Asti, Alessandria and Cúneo. Cheeses of note include Gorgonzola and Bra. Here you are more likely to find polenta than pasta. Meats are likely to appear in stews rather than grilled. Meaty red wines including Barolo and Barbaresco as well as Dolcetto and Asti Spumante.
