Valerie Quintanilla, Author at Carpe Travel

Getting to Know Gewurztraminer Wine

Love Gewurztraminer wine and want to learn more about it? Carpe Travel's guide to understanding everything about the Gewurztraminer grape and wine with food pairings. Cheers!

Barolo Wine Region, understating the wines in Barolo

Piedmont Wine Offer: All this wine talk – are you thirsty yet!?

Direct from Barolo, our wine offer is a mix of historic and up-and-coming producers from the Piedmont wine region. What makes this offer special? Wines not easily found outside of the area.

Check-in: Castello di Sinio in Barolo Italy

Wondering where to stay in Piedmont wine country? Castello di Sinio FOR THE WIN(E). As we continue our exploration of the Piedmont wine region, let’s start talking lodging and accommodations. First up, Hotel Castello di Sinio situated perfectly between...

barbera wine pairing - the best wines for bbq

Barbera Wine Pairing Lessons Direct from Piedmont

Tips from Piedmont on Barbera wine pairing. From fish to pasta to meats of all kinds as well as Barbera BBQ wine pairing ideas.

Barbaresco & Barolo Wine Pairing Tips Direct from Piedmont

Tips and tricks for Barbaresco and Barolo wine pairing with tips from the winemakers. Recipes and pairing ideas, both traditional and unique. Buon appetito!

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....

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. ...

Piedmont Food: The region’s gastronomic superstars

The Piedmont region in Northern Italy is known for its artisan cuisine. Here is everything you need to know about the local Piedmont food you must try!

When to Visit Piedmont, Italy

Want to visit Piedmont, Italy? Here is some information on travel seasonality, what to expect and Piedmont travel tips each season, event info and more.

Piedmont Region: One of the best places to visit in Northern Italy

Get to know the Piedmont region, a Northern Italy travel destination with a bit of everything. Learn where is Piedmont, top cities, activities and more.

Piedmont Wine: An intro to the grapes and wines

As part of our Piedmont Wine Travel Guide, we’ve shared all you need to know about the grapes and wines produced in Italy's Piedmont wine region.

On the Piemonte Wine Trail: Barbaresco Tasting in Neviglie

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...

adventures-in-piemonte-saberage-champagne

Travel to Piedmont Italy: Champagne Sabering – with a wine glass!

On my travels in Piedmont travel my tour guides with Travel Langhe took us to lunch in the Barolo town of Serralunga d’Alba. We were greeted at Centro Storico by the restaurant’s lively proprietor, Alessio. Armed with nothing more than a bottle of champagne and...

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...

The Intoxication of Piedmont

By Valerie Quintanilla The food, the culture, and of course the people are nearly as intoxicating as the wines of Piedmont Italy. All have now firmly planted themselves in my heart and soul. Yes, if home is where the...

Hiking and Wine Tasting in Barolo

By Valerie Quintanilla I wanted to hike in Lake Como, but Mother Nature had other plans. Luckily I had a day of hiking and wine tasting in Barolo Italy planned with Kerrie from Australia. We started the near the...

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...

Wine Tours in Barolo Italy

By Valerie Quintanilla Saturday morning started bright and early with a quick breakfast at my B&B (they just kept bringing food – such is the theme here!) Then, I was off with Robert for a wine tour in Barolo...

Italian Wine Travels: Ah, Piemonte….

By Valerie Quintanilla If there is a heaven and we each get our own version, mine would mirror Piemonte. Calgone, take me away. In 2009 I had a business meeting with an Italian colleague visiting Denver for a project....

Things to do in Lake Como

Day two of my travel to Lake Como brought more rain. Ah well, it wasn’t pouring as it had in Milano or Bellagio (or my first 18 years in Vancouver, Wash.) I still had hiking on the brain and...

A Rainy Stay in Italy’s Lake District: Things to do in Lake Como

By Valerie Quintanilla I made it to Varenna in just over an hour from Milano by train. The sun was shining when I arrived – I’d soon learn that wasn’t to last long. But, thank goodness for the dry...

Back to Italy – Take 4

I love first class. So, I knew I was in for a treat going into this trip to Italy. But, international first class is a whole different animal. The layout seat makes such a difference. I felt like...

Find Home in Paradise: Beautiful Salento in Puglia

In September 2011 I found my way to the heel of the boot, beautiful Lecce, Italy. The region remains a lesser known Italian tourist destination. Don’t misunderstand, the lesser known part only means a more authentic experience, incredible wines,...

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...

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...

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...

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