Enotecas offer library-like selections of the wines produced in the surrounding areas. They are a great way to sample wines if you don’t have the time or inclination to go from vineyard to vineyard. Two of the best are the Enoteca Regionale del Barbaresco and the Enoteca Regionale del Barolo, each of which offers an excellent program of guided tastings. The enoteca in Barbaresco is housed by an early 19th-century chapel and features exhibits on Barbaresco wines, plus a bar. The Barolo enoteca is located within the impressive Falletti Castle and is run by the town of Barolo. It offers wines from the 11 districts that comprise the Barolo zone. An excellent selection of Barolos and grappas is for sale.
A version of this article appeared in the March 2015 print edition of Andrew Harper’s Hideaway Report under the headline “Wine Tasting.”