Lands and Flavours... A visit to Ovada, city of Piedmont region, Italy

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Ovada is a city of arrival. If you came from Milan, through the Po Valley with the desire to sea in the heart, just exit the first tunnel of the tunnels to feel arrived in Liguria, while still traveling in the province of Alessandria. The landscape changes here and within a few kilometers the infinite expanses of the Piedmont give way to hills and the sight of blue mountains in the distance. The monotony is pleasantly interrupted by the sight of colorful houses, castles that dominate the valleys, and lots of green. To reach the sea, it would take another twenty minutes, but the fascinating highways and tunnels made of curves can be addressed after: the urge to stop right here, coming at Ovada and going into this city that combines two regions.

And 'what we've done a year ago, in the spring. Our idea here was to stop immediately rewarded, you should say, with a tasty surprise: we were back in the festive atmosphere of Countries and Flavors, a leading food and wine events of the Alto Monferrato. Tasting one after the other specialties offered by the exhibitors, rappresentatnti the Pro Loco of many countries of the nearby hills Ovada, we could really understand how these lands are a bridge between the Piedmont and Liguria, in terms of culinary traditions. To begin with, one of the highlights of the day was porridge, typical product of the Ligurian cuisine of the poor, but we also tasted different than typical Piedmontese dishes, like vegetables in Bagna Cauda, salads and fresh mushroom ravioli, a main course a thin sheet with the filling of meat, and borage, to be eaten with sauce or "white" in a steaming cup of wine, Dolcetto d'Ovada. We have explained that countries and flavors is really an event that anticipates the best festivals to be held in the area throughout the season. Therefore, the choice was really very large, we have tasted even the andarini, tiny dumplings to be eaten in a soup, typical of the Easter period.

Back again this year, Saturday 15 and Sunday, May 16, but this time we will bring the reinforcements, some Genoese friends motoring enthusiasts. We'll start with them from the city Superba for two reasons: our friends do not lose it for the world MotorinOvada, a side event to be held on Sunday, and consists of a gathering of vintage motorcycles roller, single speed, touring, scooter , sports and off-road vehicles registered by 1990. The other reason that makes us from Genoa, from Voltri precisely, is that we want to go over ground tortuosissima, but the breathtaking beauty of the Turchino.

Even starting from Genoa, Ovada represents a point of arrival: the city's name may suggest to the grape, but it is only an impression given by the view of endless vineyards that surround it: in fact the name comes from Ovada Vadum, to indicate that in Roman times the city was a transit hub and thus also of Commerce. But human activities are still classified, to some extent, the dictates of nature and it is the nature that decided, millennia ago, to join Genoa and Ovada, linking them with no less than two streams, the Stura and Orba. The Stura born at Praglia Plans, a plateau near the Ligurian-Po watershed in the province of Genoa, and joins the Orb at the altitude of Ovada: Orba also born in Genoa area on the northern slopes of Mount Reixa . The Stura Valley, which crosses between Voltri Ovada and also the towns of Mason, Campo Ligure and Roussillon, offers a breathtaking view of the traveler: the winding road, wedged between the Ligurian Apennines and the green of the river, more or less dry depending on the period, leading to Ovada through a wild and sweet at the same time: a real thrill to experience.

Francesca Bertha