Author: Valerie Quintanilla

Valerie Quintanilla is an American expat in Alba, Italy. Val was an original Carpe Travel contributor before packing up her American life to chase her Italian dreams. Today she runs a custom travel / wine tour planning business while moonlighting as a marketing consultant for wine and travel business in Europe. She has been featured in Wine Enthusiast, Food & Wine Magazine, Open Skies (Emirate Airlines inflight magazine), and more.
what is piedmot italy known for
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What is Piedmont, Italy known for?

Everyone is talking about this Northern Italy travel destination. But, really, what is Piedmont, Italy known for?! Piedmont’s most obvious treasure is wine. More specifically, Barolo and Barbaresco. But, the Piedmont region offers far more than just world-famous wines. It is a gastronomic haven for food and beverage, an automobile manufacturing powerhouse, and a pretty…

vermouth di torion
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Piedmont culture in a glass – vermouth and coffee

Turin is the capital city of Piedmont and a favorite cultural city of Europe for many reasons. But, two of the most fun, help you start the day and the evening. Piedmont culture is all about coffee and aperitivo.   Vermouth Originated in Turin, Italy.  What is Vermouth? Vermouth is a fortified and aromatized wine. In…

On the Piemonte Wine Trail: Barbaresco Tasting in Neviglie
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The Piemonte Wine Trail: Barbaresco Wine Tasting in Neviglie

Happy Wine Wednesday! We’re in for a treat this week with a guest post from Valerie Quintanilla, one of Italy’s newest expats, living her dream in Piemonte, Italy and sharing her wine tales at GirlsGottaDrink. Her recent wine adventures took her along the Piemonte Wine Trail. Sounds amazing…read on to see why. Valerie Quintanilla We…

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Italian Wine Merchants Redux: Wine Tasting New York City

Our frequent readers (thank you!) may recall a post I did last year about a trip to New York City that included a stop at Italian Wine Merchants (IWM). I was on a hunt for a New York City wine tasting and much to my disappointment, I didn’t quite get it. Well, my snarky and punchy post did generate a response…

Mascato harvest at Pelissero Pasquale
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Piedmont Wine Tours: Harvest Lunch in Barbaresco

By Valerie Quintanilla Tuesday morning started low key. I had no Piedmont wine tours planned so I thought I’d just hike it out a bit, write, read, and have a leisurely day in Neive. Returning from my morning walk I found Leslie getting ready to head to Ornella’s vineyard, Pasquale Pelissero, to help her prepare…

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New York City: A Trip to Italian Wine Merchants

Next stop on the Playing Italy Train: NYC for wine tasting at Italian Wine Merchants.I read Sergio Esposito’s Passion on the Vine over the New Year’s holiday in 2010/11, finishing the book in two days. I was enamored with the lifestyle, the food and of course the wine. With every page, I could almost smell and taste…

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Italian Cooking Class in Denver: Playing Italy in Denver

My recent Italian travel companion, Lisa from Canada, introduced me to a whole new Italy — one that starts and ends with cooking. Don’t misunderstand, I heart Italian food, but I always thought it was too difficult for little old me to make it with any semblance of decency. Then, I sat down in Sorrento…

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The hills and wines of Piemonte

Today I start my Piemonte wine tours.I don’t think words can truly describe Piemonte (“Piedmont” to Westerners). Somehow breathtaking, beautiful, and awesome all seem quite hollow. The land showcases rolling hills, acres and acres of vineyards (150,000 acres to be exact) and gorgeous colors. I can truly say that my first one tour in the…