By Michelle Tchea. Buy the book that inspired this story and many more: Chefs Collective. Find Michelle on Facebook. Photos supplied.
Novara, many of you may not have heard about this region in Piedmont Italy. Not fashion capital, Milan or instagram-worthy, Amalfi Coast... but if you do love Gorgonzola cheese, have a huge obsession for tasting excellent risotto and love exploring wineries – Novara should be your next holiday destination. Michelle Tchea explores the countryside of Novara, a short drive from Italy's Lake Districtand shares why Novara is her new favourite foodie destination.
Gorgonzola
Did you know Gorgonzola has two varieties – Piccante and Dolce?
Roughly translated, this means there is a ‘spicy’ and ‘sweet’ Gorgonzola.
A visit to one of Italy’s most famous Gorgonzola producers, Palzola in Cavallirio of Novara will set the record straight and teach you all
the things you should know before enjoying this blue-veined cheese made famous
in Northern Italy. The owner, Sergio Poletti, is a walking encyclopedia for
Gorgonzola and his passion rings true in his actions – assuring every piece of
Gorgonzola you sink your teeth into is the best.
Delicious Dolce Gorgonzola from Palzola.
The spicy – Piccante Gorgonzola is hard, crumblier in nature, while
the Dolce, sweet Gorgonzola is the creamy, luscious cheese everyone craves
after a spectacular meal.
Delicious Piccante Gorgonzola from Palzola.
Risotto
There are more than 800 rice growers in all of Novara. But only 3 stand-out with their uniquely cultivated rice such as Riso Rizzotti who grow Artiglio rice on their farm in Vespolate, Novara. Run by a 6th generation rice farmer, the best rice used for making Italian risotto is no other than the Carnaroli rice... not the arborio rice we know in Australia.
The texture of the rice holds its shape even after 18
minutes of boiling and is miraculously delicious when served with Gorgonzola –
of course!
Risotto by Chef Marta Grassi of Tantris Restaurant.
Wine
Wines of Novara include the Nebbiolo, Vespolina and Ghemme, all of which come with complex histories, including the families who run the same vineyards dating back to the 18th century.
At the top of the list are Rovellotti wines, with a winery in the historical centre of Ghemme where historically Ghemme locals made wine in an old castle. The Rovellotti family keeps the tradition alive which dates back to the 1400s with award-winning Nebbiolo and Vespolina on offer.
Perched high in the Italian Alps is IOPPA, founded in 1852,
the winery is the oldest 7th generation family run business in the region.
Surrounded by towns Romagnano Sesia, Ghemme and Lower Valsesia, the wines have
access to the sun, winds and excellent conditions to make award-winning wine,
which is not only sustainable but also free of artificial treatments thanks to
the controlled micro-climate of the region. 
Wines and vines at IOPPA.
Dining – A Family Affair
The Novara region offers more than just beautiful ingredients run by passionate families. The restaurants of the area prove they too can stand up to the very best in bigger cities like Milan and Rome. There really is no such thing as a light lunch or dinner in Italy. Here are three of my favourite dining experiences in Novara:
Restaurant Impero, Sizzano – A restaurant run by two amazing
sisters, Emanuela and Paola. Chef Paola heads up the kitchen while Emanuela
graces the dining room, making locals and hungry guests feel like they have
wandered into a friend's house for lunch.
Chef Paola now (left) and Chef Paola then, with her Mum (right).
Family recipes are on show here and the modest Chef Paola, should have
all of your attention. From the crispy fried balls of local herbs to delicious
Vitello tonnato, known famously in Piedmont, there is no excuse not to revisit Restaurant
Impero again and again and again.
Chef Marta Grassi.
Restaurant Tantris, a Michelin-starred restaurant headed up
by Chef Marta Grassi is a great dining experience for a special occasion. The
pint-sized Chef is full of life and heart and promotes great Italian
ingredients and producers in her hometown. The pleasure of making risotto with
this award-winning Chef can be yours as Marta offers lessons to foodies who
want to do more than just enjoy a meal.
Chef Gianluca and wife, Raffaella Zanetta with their family.
For a rustic-gourmet dining experience, nothing beats La Capuccina. The owners, Chef Gianluca and his wife, Raffaella Zanetta share their passion and dream of promoting Novara’s great agricultural beauties at their resort-like getaway. The recently renovated rooms in the farmhouse are spectacular (ask for the suite with your own personal Swedish sauna!) and the restaurant is a dining experience you only dream of finding in the countryside of Italy. Chef Gianluca comes from a very strong lineage of great restaurateurs and does not disappoint. The risotto is silky smooth and topped with creamy bone marrow, the homemade bread makes you gorge on carbs and the decadent dessert to follow is luscious and memorable for those who are lucky enough to experience it.
For more information jump onto the official tourism website, Tourism Novara.
