A fascinating market with something for everyone. Similar to a farmers market, but with dedicated…read morestalls for numerous sellers of produce, pasta, wines, etc. Lots of food options (fresh fish anyone?) and exotic spices etc. Plenty of choices, and numerous opportunities to explore local, fresh products. Be aware that like much of the European communities they run on their time, and are unconcerned with whether they're available for you. That attitude and lack of concern for your (our) feelings actually make it a bigger draw for me. Authentic and unencumbered by your opinion they succeed despite themselves.

Arrived at 1:30pm and most stalls were closed. Lots of fruit/vegetable stands, butchers and a few…read morebakery stalls.

Following our visit to the Cascina St. Andrea, we soldiered on back down to Chieri to visit this…read moreestablishment. You will need to follow the map, because if you are coming from where we were, you will only see the sign pointing to the vineyard in your mirror after you have gone past it; a delightful bit of latino logic. So there you will find this vineyard, which has an immaculately fitted out sales area/cum museum above the cellars. A very friendly young lady (Enrica - the daughter of the proprietor) took us on a guided tour to show us around the vast collection of wine jugs, just a tiny part of which is depicted above. There was in fact one from Royal Doulton there which looked desperately bland by comparison with the vividly coloured local vessels. The tour continued to demonstrate the bottling, corking and capsuling machines and down to the depths where the juice is fermenting. A delightful taste of their brew followed. But they do not only sell their own Freisa di Chieri wine, they also sell the Freisa d'Asti from Angelo Turco's Cascina S. Andrea http://www.qype.co.uk/place/248634-Cascina-S-Andrea-Castelnuovo-Don-Bosco . Then again, not a surprise and hardly really a competitive situation, since Enrica is engaged to be married to aforesaid Angelo! In fact, upon our arrival, the young lady's dog yelped wildly with enthusiasm upon sniffing La Contessa's feet and apparently picking up a whiff of Cascina S.Andrea. The big question locally is whether, upon marrying, Enrica will move up into the hills to the Cascina S. Andrea, or whether Angelo will move down to bustling Chieri. Watch this space! And if you're passing the Borgarella then do pop in. It would be rude not to.