Wine Bar with a View of the Mountain Ranges

In Ponzone, a few kilometres from Acqui Terme, the new Vinoteca Malò has opened: a wine bar that is already setting a trend thanks to its excellent wines and selected cured meats. And where there seems to be a lucky mirror...

An enchanted village, immersed among the most beautiful hills of Upper Monferrato, from which the second most panoramic view in Italy opens up, over the Alps and the Apennine hills that reach as far as the Ligurian Sea: this is Ponzone, a municipality situated on an isolated ridge about twelve kilometres from Acqui Terme, in the province of Alessandria. Spending a few days of relaxation in this village is the most regenerating thing that can exist: far from traffic, from the frenzy of work, yet close to everything (from Milan it will take about two hours to get here), so without even the stress of the return, between walks in nature and along the characteristic alleys of the ancient village, with the view opening onto the mountain ranges, relaxation is guaranteed.

And if Monferrato is very famous for its wine-growing culture, you certainly cannot give up a tasting of wines by the glass, selected daily, at the brand-new Vinoteca Malò, in the heart of the historic centre. You are welcomed into the elegant space dedicated to the wine bar, in a traditional but chic style, embellished also by a beautiful mirror that seems to have come out of a novel full of mystery and romance. Perhaps that is also why word has already spread: having your photo taken in front of this mirror, glass of wine in hand, brings good luck. Try it to believe it!

At the new Vinoteca Malò the selected wines are offered paired with prestigious Italian PDO and PGI cured meats, such as 24-month-aged culatello di Parma, 24-month-aged San Daniele prosciutto, Cinta Senese lard and Barolo pancetta, as well as local cheeses.

Ponzone thus confirms once again that it is an unmissable destination for lovers of good food: here the best Piedmontese food and wine traditions reside, and whoever decides to spend some time in the village can taste many typical specialities of the area, prepared with the heart and imagination of Cinzia, who runs, together with her husband Enrico, the historic Albergo Ristorante Malò. A place that has lived through decades of history, dotted with moments of glory towards the end of the nineteenth century, and that has returned to its former splendour thanks to the love, enterprise, (or heroism, as an authoritative restaurant guide declares), professionalism and creativity of Cinzia and Enrico.

The famous filetto baciato, created towards the end of the nineteenth century by Romeo Malò, was born right in this house: it is clear that this delicacy never misses from the table of the guests of the Albergo Ristorante Malò.

Those who stop here to eat during the warm season can enjoy at lunch, in addition to the other options, also a single dish, new to the menu, based on meat or fish with vegetables or grains, dishes always in the spirit of tradition and imagination. For coeliac guests a special menu is available, as for vegetarians and for those following a vegan or macrobiotic diet.

But the summer 2011 menu of the Restaurant also offers numerous other delights: about six types of local starters, elaborated with pleasant creativity, to be followed by first courses such as the mirtille with duck breast ragù, the ravioli variation with a light bagna cauda sauce, the ricotta and herb gnocchetti with pea and black truffle velouté and the agnolotti with roast sauce. Among the second courses, the veal magatello with Monferrato sauce, the stracotto with Ruchè, the fassona beef smoked in Monferrato hay and the rabbit in a casserole with the round gentle hazelnut of the Langhe are unmissable.

Once home, you just have to close your eyes to see in memory the spectacular Ponzone mountains, whose image is indissolubly associated with the taste of the best traditional Piedmontese cuisine. And with the lucky photo, taken in front of the mirror, who knows whether even the usual grey days of the city will not dress themselves in the colours of the rainbow...

FOR INFORMATION:

Albergo Ristorante Malò Piazza Garibaldi, 1 Ponzone (AL) 0144/78075 0144/78124

Facebook: Locanda Malò