Italy – Sunday at the Castle – Sharon Dembro's Foreign Writes

If we hadn’t needed something to do until the shops opened in Alba (closed 1 to 3 for lunch), we might never have taken the winding road through vineyards and villages that led us eventually up to the 13th century Castello Grinzane Cavour. Around a sharp bend, and there it was on its emerald lawn, a total surprise in all its fairy tale splendor.

The entry led to the castle’s wine cellar, now a showcase for regional wines. Up a winding narrow stair was the door to the Ristorante Castello Grinzane (ring for admittance). All dinners were fully booked, but if we could come for lunch on Sunday . . . . . YES!

The heavy wooden door opens on bare castle walls and nine linen draped tables. Choosing from the menu’s temptations takes awhile. Mark decides to be surprised and goes with the Chef’s Menu (whatever he decided to cook that day). I can’t pass up some of the dishes listed a la carte. The host is happy to choose a different wine for each of our dishes.

Here, in pictures, is the fabulous meal we shared, minus the ‘pre-dessert’ berry mouse, my melon sorbet and Mark’s peach confection. My basic descriptions hardly due justice to our best meal so far. And the wines and service? Perfection.