Overview
Acqui Terme is a fascinating spa town already renowned in Roman times for its steaming waters. It is surrounded by vineyards and landscapes recognised in 2014 as a UNESCO World Heritage Site for their breathtaking beauty. Located in the province of Alessandria, a borderland between Piedmont and Liguria in the Alto Monferrato area, this town is rich in environmental, landscape, artistic and eno-gastronomic attractions, not far from the large cities of Genoa, Milan and Turin. The imposing remains of the Roman aqueduct bear witness to the importance that water has always had for this town, which offers its visitors an enviable combination of art, culture, history, gastronomic excellence, charm and Italian hospitality that make it a unique and captivating destination.
Local Cusine
Acqui Terme offers an excellent choice of typical restaurants, elegant ones, trattorias, inns and agriturismi (farmhouses usually serving guests food that was prepared from raw materials produced on the farm or from other local merchants).
This is a land to savour through its food and wine treasures. The gastronomy, though characterised by simplicity, is very rich, consisting of dishes based on local seasonal ingredients. Most dishes have poor origins derived from the modest economic conditions of the area during past centuries, and despite having been enriched over time, they have never lost their primary ingredient: authenticity.
Typical of the local cuisine are a rich selection of starters, including the “filetto baciato” salami, an absolute delight, cacciatorini, lard, peppers with bagna cauda and a variety of savoury pies. Among the first courses, tajarin with mushrooms or game sauces, agnolotti al plin, polenta, cisrò – farinata – deserve a special mention, and among the second courses, the local meats, mixed boiled meat, rabbit, braised meat, tripe, but also stockfish, finanziera, Piedmontese fritto misto and bagna cauda, the convivial dish par excellence, all represent unforgettable dining experiences. Hence the birth of a renowned speciality such as Stoccafisso all’acquese, an iconic recipe handed down from generation to generation and present on several menus in Acqui’s restaurants.
Other local specialities include amaretti biscuits, baci di dama (lady’s kisses), brut e bon, Acquesi al Rhum and Canelin’s award-winning turrón, recognised together with the local artisanal ice cream as one of Italy’s best products!
The highly appreciated truffle, one of the top products of the region, grows underground throughout the local area, in harmony with oak, willow, linden and poplar trees.
Porcini mushrooms, delicious and abundant in our valleys, are much sought after by gourmets in the autumn months.
Roccaverano DOP – (literally “Protected Designation of Origin”) – A product that symbolises the hard work behind mountain sheep/goat farming. This goat’s cheese – a blend of the fragrances, flowers and herbs of the area, produced fresh or matured – appears to this day to be the only one capable of equalling if not surpassing the legendary French cheeses.
Filetto baciato – a renowned product of Aquitaine gastronomy, the filetto baciato is a unique kind of cured meat, invented by the Malò (Ponzone) family at the beginning of the last century and obtained by stuffing salami paste around the pork fillet.
Wine and other drinks
The Alto Monferrato territory and the entire Acqui area is a wonderful land surrounded by picturesque vineyards producing excellent wines appreciated all over the world. Visitors and encouraged to explore our wineries and the Regional Wine Cellar, where you can taste the best wines, visit the characteristic and historic cellars, discover how wine is made, learn about the perfect gastronomic combination of wine and food, and stroll through the vineyards! The vineyards are an unmistakable presence in the Acquese territory. For generations, the skilful cultivation of grapes has produced excellent wines, among which Acqui DOCG, Brachetto d’Acqui DOCG and Dolcetto d’Acqui DOC stand out as typical wines. Additionally, wines are produced from the cultivation of prized grapes such as Barbera, Freisa, Dolcetto, Cortese, Chardonnay, as well as the renowned aromatic essences of Brachetto and Moscato to be enjoyed in sweet, sparkling, rosé and passito versions.