The province of Alessandria tells its story in Milan to promote its territory and its food and wine excellences
A selected audience, the elegance of an exclusive Milanese setting and four thematic itineraries to tell the story of a single, extraordinary territory. Thus, the event promoted by the Cassa di Risparmio di Alessandria Foundation to celebrate «Le Vie del Gusto» made its debut in Milan. More than a simple presentation, the project is proposed as a real author’s map designed to enhance the food and wine excellence, the cultural richness and the tourist offer of the Alessandria area, transforming the local typicality into an asset of international attraction.
The evening, hosted by Mari&Co in Milan, brought together producers, institutions, journalists, tour operators and guests from the world of culture and entertainment.
Food and wine were the common thread: a food and wine journey tailor-made to tell the story of the different identities of the area, from Gran Monferrato to Alto Monferrato, from Strada Derthona to Gavi. Not a simple tasting, therefore, but a demonstration of how products, landscapes and local communities are able to support (synergistically) an entire reality.
The promotion model for the Alessandria area
Paolo Arrobbiopresident of the Foundation, was explicit on the point. «The Cassa di Risparmio di Alessandria Foundation has decided, through the Le Vie del Gusto project, not only to promote a series of events, but to build a permanent model of territorial valorisation, capable of generating new economic opportunities, strengthening the identity of the territory and consolidating the positioning of Alessandria, Monferrato, the Tortonese and the Terre del Gavi among the reference destinations for Italian food and wine tourism».
The difference with the past, he explains I get angryit’s about strategy. The previous initiatives were unrelated to each other, they focused on individual products but without an overall vision. Today, however, there finally exists a cohesive program, which brings together administrations, associations, producers, restaurateurs and tourist operators.
Why bring the territory of Alessandria to Milan
The choice of the city is not at all random. Milan is the economic-financial capital of the country and is just an hour from the province of Alessandria. A geographical detail that Arrobbio transforms into historical narration: an uncontaminated territory from an urban planning point of view, which borders Lombardy, Emilia-Romagna and Liguria, and which precisely thanks to that hub position has never undergone wild building pressure. Hills, vineyards, villages and castles have remained intact and express the Alessandria in its most intimate and pure soul.
«It was a wonderful evening», declared the president with satisfaction, «which allowed us to present to a selected audience of professionals the not only food and wine, but also tourist and cultural excellences of the province of Alessandria: a territory that deserves to be visited and also “lived” with the necessary slowness, to fully appreciate its history, beauty, offer of well-being and quality of life».
The excellence of the territory
On the wine-growing front, Alessandria can count on labels of absolute importance. I get angry mentions in particular Gavi and Timorasso, an indigenous vine rediscovered by Walter Massawho was also present at the Milanese evening. The two directions of the project are structured around these exceptional wines: on the one hand the Tortonese and the Gavi area, on the other the Monferrato Casalese with its hills.
The comparison with the Langhe is faced with sincere clarity. «We have never sought the coat of arms, even though we had all the credentials to have it among great oenologists and great wine producers», he observes I get angry. The province of Alessandria has historically relied on its geographical position without feeling the urgency of aggressive communication. «It is the first time that we present ourselves to the national press and in a place like Milan with a project that sees us all involved as protagonists».
With the awareness that the territory of Alessandria has a lot to tell.
