Leslie Williams: Why Northern Italy is king for wine lovers

I was asked recently which wine region I would opt to live in given an endless budget and unlimited resources. After much deliberation I picked Piedmont in Northern Italy, home to the Slow Food movement, white truffles, hazelnuts, and wines made from Nebbiolo, Barbera and Dolcetto, writes Leslie Williams

I admit that my choice would likely change from day to day and having just returned from a joyous trip to Ribeira Sacra and Rias Baixas in Spain (courtesy of O’Briens) Galicia would also be a strong contender — especially given my near-obsessional love for empanadas (savoury fish or meat-filled pastries), and my love of the textured wines of the region made from Albariño and Godello and Mencía. I’d also have to consider Burgundy (assuming I had endless resources) or Beaujolais or the Languedoc or the Loire or the Dalmatian Coast or Jerez or Alsace or Mendoza or the Barossa Valley... you get the idea.