Asti

We are spending a few days in Asti at an agriturismo that includes a bed-and-breakfast, winery, distillery, and farm. Il Milin is only a few miles from the city of Asti, but feels very far away in the countryside, surrounded by vineyards. Three brothers and the son of one of the brothers (Enrico) operate the Rovero winery and distillery. Enrico's wife, Michela, operates the bed-and-breakfast. All lovely people who show the best of Asti and their varied operations.

The rooms are large and comfortable. There's also a washing machine (much needed after 10 days of sink washing) and a ready supply of tea and coffee. And breakfast, fabulous breakfast.

Periodically, Il Milin and the family's Rovero winery offer a dinner featuring the family's wines and food. Michela's mother-in-law is the chef. Each course was fabulous. A favorite was the zucchini and basil flan with Parmesan cream sauce.

So you want to know what we ate, of course:

• Two types of typical Piemontese salami crudo
• Small puffed pastries stuffed with local cheese
• Fried zucchini flowers
• Soft herbed cheese
• Salad of shredded chicken and radicchio in balsamic dressing
• Zucchini and basil flan in an intensely rich Parmesan cream
• Torta di fagiolini (green beans)
• Tagliolini (thin, flat pasta) with peas and zucchini
• Veal and roasted potatoes in a Barbera sauce
• Panna cotta, bonet (chocolate panna cotta), and hazalnut cake

And the wines that complemented the meal so beautifully:

• Rovero Baptista (Riesling Italico)
• Rovero Villa Drago (Sauvignon Blanc)
• Rovero "La Casalina" (Grignolino D'Asti)
• Rovero Spanase' (Barbera D'Asti)
• Rovero Nebbiaia (Nebbiolo Monferrato)
• Rovero "Gustin" (Barbera D'Asti Superiore)
• Rovero Rouve (Barbera D'Asti Superiore aged in French oak)
• Rovero Brachetto (frizzante red dessert wine)
• Rovero Calasaya (fortified Barbera D'Asti)
• Rovero Ampolo Reserva 1998 (grappa made from Barbera)
• Rovero Brandy (aged in barrel for 10 years)

Then there are the donkeys, who often greet visitors. There are four donkeys, including five-day-old Gino. Gino is named for a neighbor. When Gino the neighbor died, his widow asked that the next donkey be named Gino. Gino is extremely cute.