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Piazza Duomo is a Michelin 3-Star restaurant located in the town of Alba in the Piemonte region of Italy. It sits in a small alley, just off its namesake, the Piazza Duomo, or the main square of Alba. It was ranked number fifteen in The World’s 50 Best Restaurants List for 2017.

Three items stand out as you arrive and are guided through your dining options for lunch or dinner. First, the staff manages to be very welcoming in a very unpretentious way, a feat which is lacking in some other fine dining establishments. Second, the focus on fresh food is uncompromising, including a their signature salad, which at times can contain up to 100 different ingredients, all grown in their garden. And third, the wines they offer by the glass to accompany your meal are simply outstanding.

They use a Coravin to serve their “Emotions by the Glass”. While the wine list certainly changes according to availability, there were some beauties available today. A sampling of the whites included a 1991 vintage blend of Pinot Bianco, Sauvignon and Chardonnay from Cantina di Terlano in Alto Adige, a 2009 Leflaive Bienvenue Batard Montrachet, a 2001 Jacques Prieur Chevalier Montrachet and a 1995 Clos de La Coulee de Serrant Savennieres from Nicolas Joly, as well as several other nice whites.

The red list was more extensive. As the restaurant is partially owned by the Ceretto family, the list includes their 2000 Bernardot Barbaresco, 2004 Cannubi San Lorenzo Barolo and 2008 Bricco Rocche Barolo. The list includes several other nice Italian wines including selections from Montalcino, Taurasi, and Amarone della Valpollicella. The French reds include some well priced grand crus from Bordeaux greats such as Mouton and Leoville Las Cases and great Burgundy terriors including Chambertin, Charmes Chambertin, Clos de La Roche, Clos de Vougeot, and Corton.

While the wines are not inexpensive, they are certainly reasonably priced for what they offer. And they are happy to split a pour, providing each diner with a half glass instead of a full glass. So often a three star Michelin restaurant offers either a wine list that is considerably overpriced, has inadequate by the glass options or serves a sub-standard wine pairing. Piazza Duomo’s by the glass offerings are a refreshing change which will hopefully be emulated by other restaurants in its class.

Address Information

Piazza Duomo
Piazza Risorgimento, 4, 12051 Alba
Tel. +39 0173 366167
www.piazzaduomoalba.it